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Tailislaed V Charles In^aOl, Hi^K S'^Eeaim^ . 



THE 



HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES 



TOWN AND BOROUGH 



READING IN BERKSHIRE, 



SOME NOTICES OE THE MOST CONSIDERABLE 
PLACES IN THE SAME COUNTY. 



BY J. DORAN, ESQ. 



READING : 

EDMUND YORKE, 7, HIGH-STREET; 

LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO. 

1838. 



<^ 



5540 



'0^ 



• ••• • •• 



HISTORY OF READING. 



Although the historian or the antiquary has not de- 
duced the origin of the town of Reading from our British 
Ancestors — or traced its foundation to the period when 
the armies of " immortal Rome" colonized the coun- 
try, it is by no means improbable but that the Britons 
first fixed here their congregated huts, or that the 
then masters of the ancient world made it one of their 
numerous stations.* It is true, there are no remains 
of British roads in Reading or in its immediate vi- 
cinity, nor have any of the relics of Roman grandeur, 
voluptuousness, or gratitude, — their villas, their hy- 
pocausts, or their votive altars, — been discovered 
here ; but the beauty and peculiarity of the situation 
^a gently rising and commanding eminence, its foot 
watered by the confluence of two rivers, — are al- 
most sufficient in themselves to sanction a belief, that 
so desirable a spot would readily be fixed upon for a 
town or station. Indeed, the purely British deriva- 
tion of the word '^Reading," would serve to confirm 
the hypothesis that it was founded by the original in- 
habitants of Albion. 

From the termination ing-, (a meadow) it has been 
conjectured that the name is Saxon ; and Mr. Man- 
ning, in his Saxon Dictionary, supposes the first syl- 
lable to be Bed, or Rea, (an overflowing)— -thus mak- 

* Leland supposes the present site of Reading to have 
been the Poi^tes of the ** Itinerary," 



J 



:6 HISTORY OF READING. 

ina^ the entire word to signify the meeting* of waters 
in a meadow. It must be confessed that this or any 
other attempt to discover the true etymology of 
**Reading," may be mere matter of speculation; but 
our opinion is— as we have just now stated — that the 
present vrord is a mere mutation from the ancient 
British appellation : namely^ Rhycl, a ford ; and hen, 
old — the old'ford; and which well describes the loca- 
tion of the place to the Thames and the Kennet. 

But whatever may have been the origin of the town, 
it is quite certain that Reading was a place of consi- 
derable importance in the Saxon era. We first hear 
of it in the year 871, when the Danes, under the or- 
ders of Hinguar and Hubba, ravaged all the southern 
districts of England, and at last possessed themselves 
of the town and castle. Detachments of those feroci- 
ous marauders, carried devastation into the surround- 
ing neighbourhood ; and in order to strengthen a po- 
sition naturally commanding and important, they 
threw up strong entrenchments, between the Thames 
and the Kennet, remains of which, it is asserted,* 
were to be traced near Catsgrove-hill. In order to 
check the progress of the invaders, Ethelwulph, then 
Earl of Berkshire, hastily assembled together a power- 
ful force, and gave battle to them in the marshes of 
Englefield, cut to pieces and scattered them in every 
direction ; and four days afterwards, being joined by 
King Etheked, and his brother, the illustrious Alfred, 
drove the enemy within their fortifications at Read- 
ing. The besieged at last made a desperate sortie, 
overthrew the Saxon monarch, and maintained undis- 
puted possession of the town throughout the summer 
months, when they retreated to London. Brompton 
says, that Ethelred fell in the battle at Englefield, but 
his statement is not confirmedby the older historians ; 
all we know is, that he was buried at AVinborn, in 
Dorsetshire. In 1006 Sweyn, the Danish King, landed 
an army, and advancing from the Hampshire coast, 
into Berkshire, burnt Reading, Cholsey, and Wal- 
lingford. 

* Dr. Stukeley, 



HISTORY OP READING. 6 

From this period, till the Norman invasion, the his- 
tory of the town is buried in obscurity and silence. In 
the record of Domesday,* occurs the following de- 
scription of Reading : 

"The King holds in demesne Redinges. King Edward 
held in Redinges the hundred. Then and now it defends 
itself for 43 hides. The arable land is of 40 carucates. One 
is in demesnes, and 55 villeins, and .SO bordars, with 55 
ploughs. There are four mills of 85*. and three fisheries of 
l4iS. and 6(1. and 150 acres of meadow. The wood can feed 
100 hogs, the feed of which is worth 16*. 6d. In the time 
of King Edward and afterwards, it was worth 40/. now 48/. 
The King has in the burgh of Redinges 28 hagas (houses) 
paying 4/. 4*. for all customs ; but he who holds it pays 100*. 
Henry de Fereres has there one haga and half a virgate of 
land, in which are four acres of meadow, worth 6s. Go- 
deric, the Sheriff, held this land for the purpose of making 
it inhabited. For the same purpose Henry holds it. Rein- 
baldus, son of Peter the Bishop, held one haga there, which 
he annexed to Erleif (Erleigh,) his own manor. Now it is 
in the King's hands." 

Such was the state of Reading in the reign of Wil- 
liam I. but from that time till the accession of Henry 
I. it would seem to have sunk into insignificance, for 
it is not even named in the old Chronicles. An event, 
however, now occurred, from which the growth of 

* The grand Survey of England is supposed to have been 
so called, from its having been deposited in a chapel at Win- 
chester, called Domus Dei; so says Baker. — With respect 
to the title of " Conqueror,*' generally given to William I. 
a new *' opinion" has of late years been given, which might 
have originated from a special pleader : The term Conqui- 
sitor, or ConqiuBstor, merely denoted that he was the first of 
the family who acquired the Crown of England, and from 
whom, therefore, all future claims by descent must be de- 
rived. The first purchaser (Perquisitor, Conquisitor, or 
Conqusestor) was he who first acquired an estate to his fa- 
mily by sale, gift, or any other method but descent ; but 
from our disuse of the word in its feudal sense, together 
with the reflection on William's forcible method of acquisi- 
tion, we have been led to annex the idea of ** victory " to 
the term Coriq^icBstar ^ which has thus been corrupted into 
*' Conqueror." 

t Erleigh-Regis, or Whiteknights ? 

b2 



4 HISTORY OF READING. 

its prosperity may be dated — we allude to the foun- 
dation of the Abbey of Reading, by the King, in 1 121.* 

* Reading is thus described by the venerable Camden, ia 
his Britamiia, edit. 1610, translated by Holland : " Reading 
excelleth at this day all other townes of this shire in faire 
streets, and goodly houses : for wealth also of the towns- 
men and their name in making of cloth, although it hath 
lost the greatest ornaments it had, to wit, a beautiful Church 
and a most ancient Castle. But King Henrie the Second so 
rased it (because it was a place of refuge for King Stephen's 
followers) that nothing now reraaineth of it but the bare 
name in the next street. Nigh whereunto, King Henrie the 
First having plucked down a little Nunnerie that Queene 
Alfrith had founded in former times, to make satisfaction 
for her wicked deeds, built for Monks a stately and sump- 
teous Abbay, and enriched it with great reuenewes. Which 
Prince, to speake out of his very Charter of the foundation, 
because three Abbates in the Realme of England were in 
old time for their sinjies destroied, to wit, Reading, Chelseie, 
and Leonminster, which a long time were held in lay mens 
hands : by the advice of the Bishops, built a new monasterie 
of Reading and gave unto it Reading, Chelseie, and Leon- 
minster. In this Abbay was the founder himself, King 
Henrie, buried with his wife both vealed and crowned, for 
that shee had been a Queene, and a professed Nunne, and 
with them their daughter Mawde, as witnesseth the private 
Historic of this place, although some report, that shee was 
enterred at Bece in Normandie. This Mawde as well as 
that Lacedemonian Ladie Lampido, whom Plinie maketh 
mention of, was a Kings daughter, a Kings wife, and a 
Kings mother ; that is to say, daughter of this Henrie the 
First, King of England, wife of Henrie the Fourth, Empe- 
rour of Almaine, and mother to Henrie the Second, King 
of England. Concerning which matter have you here a dis- 
tichion engraven on her tombe, and the same verily in my 
judgment conceiued in some gracious aspect of the Muses. 

Magna ortu, maior-que viro, sed maxima partu, 
Hie iacet Henrici filia, 8ponsa, parens. 

The daughter, wife, the mother eke, of Henrie, lieth heere; 
Much blest by birth, by marriage more, but most by issue deere. 

Let US returne againe from persons to places. This Monas- 
tery wherein that noble King Henry the First was buried, is 
now converted to be the Kings house, which hath adioining 
unto it a very goodly stable, stored to the full with Prince 
like and most generous steeds. But as touching this place^ 



HISTORY OF READING. O 

It must be understood, however, that from a very 
early period, Reading- had been disting-uished by a 
religious house of considerable celebrity — but whe- 
ther it was a nunnery or a monastery, cannot now be 
ascertained. The probability is, that it was destroyed 
during the irruption of the Danes, and that the new 
Abbey rose, in all its architectural and ascetic gran- 
deur, on its site, and where its massive relics now 
stand in the solitude and solemnity of decay and ruin. 
The endowment of the new Abbey accorded with the 
religious munificence of the day : Henry not only 
annexed to it the lands of the ancient Abbeys of 
Cholsey, and Leominster, in Herefordshire, but vested 
in the Monks the proprietary of the town of Reading 
itself, moreover adding to the authority of the Abbot 
the regal right of coining money. The fraternity had 
freedom from all customs, tolls, and contributions, 
throughout England and the sea-ports — the hundred 
courts' were vested with soc and sac, toll and theam^ 
infangtheofy and hamsockna — all tolls due to lords of 
a manor, and the privilege of trying thieves and house- 
breakers within the Abbey territory, &c. with judicial 
power, as ample as was enjoyed in the Royal Courts : 
if the Abbot should delay justice, the King was to 
interfere, but not so as to infringe on the liberties of 
the church of Reading, Although some of these exten- 
sive rights became passive in the tumultuous times of 
Stephen and Henry 11. they were fully restored by 

listen also to the Poet describing the Tames as he passeth 

heereby. 
From hence he little Chawsey seeth, and hastneth for to see 
Faire Reading town, a place of name, where Cloth's ywoven he. 
This shewes our iElfreds victorie, what time Begsceg was slaine ; 
With other Danes, whose carcasses lay trampled on the plaine j 
And how the fields ydrenched with blond upon them shed j 
Where as the Prince in Stable now hath standing many a stede 
Of noblest kind, that neigh and snort into the aire a loud, 
Tracing the ring and keeping pace that stately is and prowd. 
Whiles they desire to learne withal in our warres for to serve, 
But where (alas) is piety ? Such cursed deeds deserve 
Purged to be by sacrifice. A King of Normans race 
Henry the first, enterred heere, now turn'd out of his p!ace. 
An out cast lies dishonoured. Who seekes his tombe shall misse : 
For Covetise envied that King the small mould which was his. 
See see, how Princes monuments it ransacks where it is. 



HISTORY OF READING. 

Jolm, in the 12tli year of his reign. The King's jus- 
tices itinerant sat in the Abbot's own court, his se- 
neschal or steward associating with them on the bench. 
This judicial power of the Lord Abbot did not sleep : 
it is on record, that William Bren, who had been de- 
tected hunting in Windsor Forest, fled to Reading, 
where he was imprisoned by the Abbot, who refused 
to surrender him to W^alter de Pickford, Constable of 
Windsor Castle ; and this apparent contumacy was 
actually sanctioned by a precept from Edward I. dated 
at Carnarvon, in the 11th of his reign. — It was di- 
rected that, on the death of an Abbot, the possession 
of the monastery, with its privileges, should be vested 
in the Prior and Monks of the capitular body ; the 
Abbot was to possess no exclusive revenue, but to 
enjoy, in common with his brethren, the abundant 
income of the establishment ; he was not to waste the 
alms of the monastery on lay relations, but distribute 
them in relieving the poor, and affording to strangers 
the rights of hospitality. Altiiough Henry had, by a 
royal edict, abolished the privilege which Abbots had 
assumed of conferring the honor of knighthood, he 
reserved, by an especial provision, that right to the 
Abbot of Reading, provided that the solemnity was 
performed by him in his clerical habit — an exception 
just as silly as the privilege itself was anomalous.* 
Another charter soon after followed, exempting the 
convent from finding ship-money, erecting bridges, 
building castles, and all kinds of public service. None 

* This and the three preceding centuries the church, pro- 
perly called militant^ was in its ^lory ; and the power as- 
sumed by ecclesiastics, was not at all peoiliar to England. 
When Paris was besieged by the Normans in 885, Goslin, 
then Bishop, assumed the helmet and battle-axe, and fought 
manfully on the ramparts. A hundred years afterwards. 
Bishops and Abbots took the sword, and we find that 
the Abbot of Verdun obtained permission at Cologne, in 
988, to go without his sword. — At the battle of Bovines, in 
1214, a Bishop of Beauvais used an iron mace, observing 
that it would be irregular in him to shed human blood : 
som.e of his descendents of the priesthood have thought 
differently. 



niSTORV OF READING. 7 

of the King's officers were allowed to trespass in tlie 
Abbot's woods, and the Monks were to have the same 
liberty in their woods as the King* had in his own. By 
a third charter, the King* conceded to the Abbey the 
privilege of a fair on St, Lawrence's Day, and three 
days afterwards, ordering that no one should be dis- 
turbed in coming to or going from it, under the 
penalty of 10/. The King gave to the Abbey tlie 
churches of Thatcham, and Wargrave, andv/ith a con- 
firmation of the manor of Hanborough, in Oxford- 
shire ; with a confirmation of the manor of Rockington, 
or Rowington, in AVarwickshire ; a hide and a half 
of land in Houghton, Beds ; the church of Wychebury, 
Wilts ; and lands at Hampton, Hants, and the estate 
of Robert de Ferrars, in Reading. Amongst the be- 
nefactors to the new foundation were the following : 

Adeliza, Queen of Henry L subsequently married to 
William de Albini, Earl of Arundel — gave the manor 
of Aston, Herts ; with the land of Reginald, the Fo- 
rester, at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, together 
with the patronage and revenues of the church, 
which were to supply the expense of a lamp to burn 
continually before the pix, and the tomb of the 
founder. On the death of the Earl, her husband, 
Adeliza further endowed the Abbey with the church 
and revenues of Berkeley-harness, Gloucestershire, 
with the prebends thereof ; the prebends of two 
manors, and the churches of Cheam, Eslingham, 
W^otton, Beverstan, and Almodesbury; and 100^. to 
be paid annually on Christmas-Da)^, from a liithey 
or wharf, in London, her property, towards cele- 
brating the founder's anniversary. 

The Empress Matilda, daughter of the illustrious 
founder, vested the Abbey with the manor of Blew- 
])ury, &c. with the tenants in servile tenure. — She 
also gave to the brotherhood the manor of East 
Hendred, the lands of Herbert Fitz Fulcherius, in 
Marlborough ; the lands of Geoffrey Purcell, in 
Windsor and Cateshell; the manor of Bromesfield, 
and confirmation of the churches of Berkeley-har- 
ness, Stanlin, and Thatcham, 



8 HISTORY OF READING. 

David, King of Scotland, the manor of RindalgTOS, 
reserving to himself the right of thereafter founding 
a convent at Rindalgros. 

King Stephen — various confirmations of the gifts of 
his predecessors ; lands in Wigstan, held by William 
the King's Almoner, a Monk at Reading ; houses 
and lands in Cambridge and Southampton ; reserv- 
ing to the crow^n a rent-charge of 100^. from East 
Hendred. 

Henry II. confirmed all the preceding grants, with 
Careswell, in Burghfield, by Almericus Fitz Ralph ; 
the manor of Streatley, by William de Mandeville. 
He also gave the Abbot license to inclose a park, in 
a place called Cumba, for sick persons, whether 
Monks or strangers ; and further confirmed the sale 
of lands at Whitley, by Peter de Cosham (Caver- 
sham?) for 80/. and a bezant of gold annually. 
Moreover, he granted the Abbey cliarters for an- 
nual fairs at Reading on St. James's Day, and the 
three days following ; confirming also the right of 
a Sunday market at Thatcham, commanding the 
inhabitants of the county to attend it, and for- 
bidding the men of Newbury to do them injury.* 
The King granted forty marks annually from the 
manor of Hoo ; and license for the Monks to im- 
port foreign goods free of duty. 

Richard I. confirmed former grants; and the land 
given by William Earl of Sussex, at Quidenham, 
Norfolk, and that by William Earl Ferrars in Stam- 
ford ; by Henry Fitz Gerald in Sawbridgeworth ; 
by Michael de Basseville in Lechebroc; by Ralph 
de Offinton (Uffington ?) ; Englefield church with 
its appendages, &c. 

King John gave a mark of gold to cover the hand of 
St. James, and also gave the head of St. Philip the 
Apostle. — How or where these r cliques were ob- 
tained does not appear ; but it is pretty certain that 

* We may infer from this circumstance, that the grants 
and privileges made to the Abbey of Reading, were not be- 
keld with a favorable eye by the neighbourhood. 



HISTORY OF RE.^DING. 9 

three or four heads of the same saint were enume- 
rated in the catalogues of effects given in by the 
commissioners at the period of the dissolution ; and 
an ancient author adds, there were found in dif- 
ferent Abbeys enough of pieces of the " true cross" 
to build a ship of war. 

Henry III. was particularly partial to Reading, where 
a great number of his patents were dated. He also 
added largely to the revenues of the monastery: 
Ann. reg. 37, the Abbey being much in debt, he 
issued precepts to all knights and freemen holding 
lands under the monastery, to afford assistance in 
liquidating such debts, by contribution. He granted 
the Monks free-warren on all their estates, with 
exemption of " lawing" of all dogs belonging to 
them within the Royal Forests ; and also exempted 
certain of their lands from the operation of the 
forest laws. In the 26th year of his reign, the King 
acknowledged the receipt of 100 marks from the 
Abbey. 

Edward II. after confirming charters, and granting 
a new one of great power, further confirmed the 
Abbot's right to hold 40 acres of land in the New 
Forest, at 40.y. per annum rent, to be paid to Queen 
Eleanor ; that Queen, to whom the New Forest had 
been granted, granting permission that all the Ab- 
bot's cattle should be free from pannage and herb- 
age, throughout the yean 

Edward III. restored to the Abbey the privilege of 
coining money, which had been suspended in the 
preceding reign ; and ordered that no officer of the 
King should execute any writ in Reading ; and that 
the Monks should enjoy all privileges of waifs, &c. 
goods of felons, &c. in the fullest extent. Although 
this monarch was so bountiful in his grants to the 
Abbey, it appears that in the 12th year of his reign 
he borrowed from it jewels valued at 224/. 9^. and 
and in his 20th year 100/. 

Richard II. confirmed all former privileges, provided 
that the Abbot repaired the tomb and statue of the 
Royal Founder. 



10 HISTORY OF nnADING- 

We have thus particularized some of the royal and 
other donations made to the Abbey of Reading- ; but 
the other detailed features of its history — its growth, 
decline, and dissolution — will be found in subsequent 
pages. 

In 1125, the Abbey was finished, and it is in this 
year that the first charter bears date, which states, 
that the Abbeys of Reading, Cholsey, and Leominster, 
having been destroyed for their sins,* and their estates 
fallen into lay hands, the King, with the advice of his 
prelates and others, had built a new monastery at 
Reading, and endow^ed it with the former possessions 
of Reading, Cholsey, and Leominster. Ten years 
afterwards, the King died near Rouen, where his heart 
was deposited, but the body was brought to Reading 
Abbey, and there interred with great solemnity. f In 

* This passage affords proof that there had previously 
been a moaastic foundation in Reading ; which, in all pro- 
bability, was destroyed during one of the inroads of the 
Danes. 

f Part of a coSn is preserved in the school established 
among the ruins of the Abbey, and is shown as tliat in 
which the remains of the Royal Founder were inclosed ; but 
this is more than doubtful. — The late Archdeacon Nares, 
however, was of a different opinion, and as he has put that 
opinion on record, we subjoin it : — 

** Observations on the Discovery of part of a Sarcophagus, at Read- 
ing Abbey, in Berkshire; supposeri to have contained the Remains of 
King Henry I. Communicated to the Society of Antiquaries, in a 
letter from the Rev. Robert l^ares, B.D., F.R.S. and S. A. to Henry 
Ellis, Esq. F.R. S., Secretary. Read before the Society, Feb. 15, 
1816. From tlie Archaeologia, vol. xviii. 

*' Sir,— It appears from Sandford's Genealogical History, that, at 
the suppression of the Religious Houses, under Henry VIII, the 
rage of Reformation went so far as to destroy even the tombs and 
monuments of the founders. This he particularly specifies to have 
been the case with the tomb of Henry I. the Founder of Reading 
Abbey, whose bones, he says, * Could not enjoy repose in his grave, 
— but were thrown out, to^nake room for a stable of horses.' p. 28. 
Accident having lately brought to light what appears to be part of 
the wreck of that very tomb, I have thought that a short account of 
it might be acceptable to the Society of Antiquarians. 

** On the 24th of November, 181.5, in digging for some dry earth 
or gravel, to assist in making a footway to our National Schools, 
there was found, not three feet below the surface, a large fragment 
of a stone Sarcophagus, or rather Cofiin ; since it had the form of 
the modern Coffin, not of the antique Sarcophagus. The part found 
cousisted only of the bottom of the Coffin, and that broken ; but ouly 



HISTORY OF READING. 1 I 

1 140, Kin^ Stephen passed tlirougli Reading, with a 
powerful army, on his way to the unsuccessful siege 

into two large fragments. Of the upright sides and ends nothing 
remained, but so much as was included within the thickness of the 
the bottom. From this small specimen, however, it appears, that 
the whole had been elegantly carved ; for it exhibits the bases, and 
the bottoms of the shafts, of a complete row of small columns, or 
rather half columns, which evidently surrounded the whole Coffin. 
The forms of the columns have been fancifully varied, being alter- 
nately semi-circular and semi-hexagonal. 

•'The whole length of the Sarcophagus is seven feet, by two feet 
six inches at the head, but gradually contracted to two feet at the 
smaller end. The thickness of the stone is seven inches and a half. 
The columns have been fifty in number ; namely, eighteen on each 
side ; at the broad end eight, and at the narrower six. Six very 
strong iron rings had been let into the substance of the stone, and 
soldered in with lead : namely, two on each side, and one at each 
end, at regular distances. 

*' It is difficult to imagine for what purpose these rings could be 
intended, except for that of letting down the coffin, with all its con- 
tents, into a vault. In a vault however it was not found, nor could 
any more fragments of the coffin be discovered near it . The proba- 
bility is, that all the vaults have been long ago filled up, by the fall 
of the ruins, and the accumulation of rubbish. 

'* The place where the coffin was found must have been near the 
centre of the Choir, in the Abbey Church, but it had probably been 
removed from its original situation, broken, and left upon the sur- 
face ; the small quantity of earth found above it, being evidently 
such as had been gradually accumulated on the spot. No bones 
were near it. 

' * The reasons for conjecturing that it may have been a part of the 
coffin of Henry I. are chiefly founded on the curious workmanship 
which had been bestowed upon it 5 a decoration not likely to have 
been given to any thing less important than a Royal Coffin, when 
destined to be buried in a vault. Its mutilated state attests the vio- 
lence of the destroyers, which stands upon historical testimony; and 
it might perhaps, not unfairly, be urged, that the small columns, as 
they evidently belong not to any style of Gothic design, were proba- 
bly of the earlier kind, which has been termed Saxon. The bases 
stand so close together, that the columns were probably made to 
support a set of small, interlaced, semi-circular arches, resting on 
the alternate capitals, according to an ordinary style of decoration in 
use at that period. 

" A leaden coffin was found in the ruins, in the year 1785 ; which 
was rather hastily attempted (by a person who had not seen it) to be 
considered as belonging to the founder ; but the suggestion was vic- 
toriously refuted, almost immediately after.* Whether my conjec- 
ture may be liable or not to the same fate, I cannot pretend to say ; 
but having stated my reasons, if they can be fairly refuted, I shall 
make no attempt to defend them. 

•' The fragment is now deposited in the National School for boys, 
within the ruins, and may be inspected at any time, by applying to 
the Master. •• I am, Sir, 

" Your obedient humble Servant, 

" St. Mary's, Reading, *' Robert Nares." 

Feb. 10, 1816." 

*' * See Gent. Mag. Dec. I785.'» 



12 HISTORY OF READING. 

of Wallingford Castle ; and the following year, the 
Empress Slatilda honored the town with her presence 
during rogation week. She was received with great 
formality ; and it was here that she gave an interview 
to Robert D'Oiley, who consented to deliver up to 
her the Castle of Oxford. According to Stow, she 
conferred on Robert de Sigello, a Monk of Reading, 
the Bishopric of London. In 1156, William, the eldest 
son of Henry II. was buried in the Abbey Church : 
the year 1163 was rendered somewhat remarkable in 
the annals of Reading, and afforded a striking in- 
stance of the barbarism of the age, by the " Appeal 
of Battle" between Robert de Montfort and Henry 
de Essex. — It originated in the Welsh wars, and is 
adverted to by Baker, and other of our old historians. 
It appears that, in 1157, during a conflict in the 
Marches of the Principality, several of the King's chief 
nobility were cut off by an ambuscade, together with 
a great number of men at arms and private soldiers. 
Those who fled spread abroad a rumour that the King 
was either taken or killed. A general panic prevailed 
— the remainder of the army was thrown into disorder 
—and Essex, who was the hereditary bearer of the 
royal standard, threw it away, and trusted to the speed 
of his horse for his personal safety. It was not likely 
that, in those chivalric days, such an apparent act of 
pusillanimity and cowardice would pass unnoticed or 
unpunished. Robert de Montfort denounced him as 
a traitor ; and Essex met the charge by the scarcely 
palliative assertion, that at the time he really be- 
lieved the King had fallen — and it would seem that in 
all probability such would have been the fact, had 
not Roger Earl of Clare rallied a powerful division of 
the troops, and by again displaying the banner of his 
Sovereign, preserved the disheartened residue of the 
army. Montfort's appeal was heard by the King, and 
a royal mandate was issued for the knightly com- 
batants to meet on an island, near Reading Abbey,* 

* The last appeal of the ancient law of battle was in 1818, 
in the case Ashford v. Thornton — but it was not brought 
to issue— and Thornton, the murderer, ended his day« in 



HISTOHY OF READING. 13 

on the 8th of April. This was, no doubt, considered 
an event of no ordinary importance, for the King 

that last place of refuge to depravity, the United States of 
America. — Several cases of judicial combat are on record : 
in 1279, Alan, Baron de la Zouche, marrying one of the 
co-beiresses of Roger de Quincy, Earl of Winchester, ac- 
quired a great estate in Leicesteshire, in right of his wife ; 
but having some claims on John Earl of Warren, who wa3 
for fighting the affair to its termination, instead of trying 
it by civil law, the parties met in Westminster Hall, and 
the Baron was killed. — See Gough's Camden, vol. 2, page 
cxciv. — ** In 1445 (says Grafton) an Armorer's servaunt of 
London, appeled his master of treason, which offered to be 
tried by battaill. At the day assigned the frends of the master 
brought to him malmesye and aquavite to comforte him 
withal, but it was the cause of his and their discomfort ; 
for he poured in so much, that when he came into the place 
at Smithfielde, where he should fight, both his witte and 
strength fayled him ; and so hee, being a tall and bardie 
personage, ouerladed with hotte drinkes, was vanquished 
of his sevraunt, being but a cowarde and a wretch, whose 
body was drawen to Tiborne, and there banged and be- 
hedded." This incident was dramatised by Shakspeare ; 
in Hen. VI. part 11. act 2, scene III. — The judicial docu- 
ments in this case are still extant, among the Cott. MSS. 
and it would seem from the annexed warrant, that the 
Crown provided armour, as well as " intendants,'* or 
umpires : 

*'By THE King.— Reverend Fader in God, ryghte trusty and 
well-beloved, for asmoche as John Davy hath nowe lata appelled 
before the Constable and Marshal of thia our Reaume of England 
William Catour, of London, armourer, of traisou ymagined, and 
doon by hym agenstour persone, for which cause the said Constable 
and Marshal have by assent of bothe parties assigned a day of bat- 
taille unto them, as lawe vvol : We therefore wol and charge you, 
that under our privie seel, being in yor warde, ye do make our I'rea 
of vrarrant, in deue forme, directed unto oure wel beloved Squier, 
John Stanley, Sergeant of oar Armoury, charging hym to do, make» 
and ordeigue, in ai goodly haste, good and souffisant armure for the 
said appelland, and al order farneys and wapen necessary untohym in 
that behalve — And over this, we vvol, that under oure seid p've seel, 
ye do nr.ake oure order I'res seve*lles,in deue forme,directed unto 
Sir John Stewart, Sir John AstVey, knights; Edraond Hampden and 
Thomas Montgomery, squires ; and to Thomas Parker, armourer, to 
be intendants and of counsel with the said appelland, and semblable 
I'res unto Syr Thomas Grey, Syr Robert Shotesbroke, knightsjJohn 
Lovell and John Sharpe, squiers ; and to Harman, armo«rer, dwel- 
ling in Southwerk, to be intendants and of counsel Avith the seid 
partie defendant, as the cas requireth. And thees our Tres shal be 
your warrant. Given under our signet, at our Castell at Wyndesore, 
the xixdaye of Octobr, the yeareof oure regne xxv.— W. Crosby.^* 



14 HISTCr.Y OP RS/.DIXG. 

attended in person, and a number of the nobility. The 
combat was commenced by Montfort with g-reat im- 
petuosity and fury ; and Essex, for some time, cau- 
tiously met the assault ; at last, however, to use the 
phraseology of the historian, " turning reason into 
rage, he took upon himself the part of a challen- 
ger, and not of a defender,^' and fell, covered with 
wounds, and to every appearance dead. The Mo- 
narch, under this impression, granted permission to 
the Monks to inter the body, expressly commanding 
that no further violence should be done to it. But 
the defeated knight speedily recovered, was admitted 
a member of the ascetic brotherhood, and died a 
professed Monk.* 

* The scene of this conflkt was in all probability the 
island near to Caversham-bridge, on the east side. Baker, 
in his Chronicle^ does not notice the battle ; he merely ob- 
serves that the King punished Henry (Earl) de Essex, '* by 
condemning him to be shorn a Monk, and put into the Ab- 
bey of Reading — and his lands seized into the King's hands.*' 
In the Berkshire Chronicle of March 30, 1830, the conibat 
was introduced in a poetic form, from which we annex two 
short extracts : 

"The King— the King is dead,'* 

Cried the maiden-hearted Knight; 
And the banner-royal down he flung. 

And fled from the field of fight. 
And gauntlet, lance, and helm, 

Strewed the marches far and wide j 
But the prowess of the warlike King 

Stopped the rush of the threateniiij tide. 
In the ravine's narrow depths 

He rallied his men at arms — 
On the point of his lance his scarf ^2 ehowed. 

To sooth their wild alarms : 
•* No Englishman is he 

** Who flees from his true liege lord : 
•' Like the hunted boar the foe attack 
•• With the edge of Victory's sword." 
Earth trembled at the tread 
Of the battle'^s reflux might— 

And the sun burst forth her golden rays 
To glad the glorious sight. 

Like the dried leaf in the dale, 
Sped by the blast of heaven, 

The vaunting foe, over the mountain tracks- 
Through the shadowy glens, — were driven. 

The dragon-standard fell, 
Besmeared with dust and blood ; 

And the vanquished foe-men fled in shame 
Tc Coed-Ewloe'6 wood. 



HISTCrvY OF READING, 15 

In 1 184, a synod, or convention of tlie Bishops of 
tlie province, was held here, at vs^hich the King at- 
tended, and a deputation of the Monks of Christ 
Church, Canterbury. The assemblage took place on 
the 5th of August, being St Oswald's Day, its prin- 
cipal object being to elect an Archbishop, in the 
room of Richard, the immediate successor of that 
violent churchman, Thomas a Becket. The following 
year, Henry gave an audience at Reading to Hera- 
clius. Patriarch of Jerusalem, who demanded his 
assistance against the Saracens.* In 1191, Richard 
Coeur de Lion held a parliament here. During the 
reign of John, a synod was held in Reading, by which 
it was ordained, that no ecclesiastical person should 
have more than one benefice with cure of souls ; a re- 
gulation which, notwithstanding its beneficial opera- 
tion, has not in all subsequent instances been at- 
tended to. Henry III. in 1227, kept his Christmas at 
Reading ; and two years afterwards the pleadings in 
the Courts of Justice, in Michaelmas term, were held 
here. It does not appear that either Edward I. or II. 
ever visited this part of the county ; but it is certain 
that, in 12/5, the former took the pecuniary affairs of 
the Abbey into his own hands, and appointed com- 
missioners to investigate them. In 1346, the King» 
after celebrating the festival of Christmas at Guild- 



»Neath Reading's cloistered, fretted roof. 

Was held the Kingly Court, 
And all around was wassail cheer» 

And minstrelsy, and sport. 
But now approached the day of fight, 

A day of joy— of grief— 
Of grief to him, whose dastard heart. 

Sought in the grave relief : 
Heavy forebodings ever flashed 

Across his care-worn eye. 
And the deep sorrow of his soul 

Escaped in many a sigh — 
As from his latticed casement, he 

Beheld the beauteous view— 
The fir-clad hill, the dale, the stream 

Its fertile course pursue ; 

* It was during the residence of the Patriarch in tliis 
country, that he consecrated the Temple Church, in London. 



16 HISTORY OF READING. 

ford, had sfrand jousts and tournaments at Reading. 
In 1359, John of Gaunt was married here to Blanche, 
dauo^hter and co-heir of Henry Planta^enet, Duke of 
Lancaster. — An assembly of nobility, with the Mayor 
and Aldermen of London, took place here in 13S4, to 
inquire into and punish the seditious practices of the 
late Mayor of that city, John Northampton ; whose 
insurrectionary spirit, however, had been checked by 
the undaunted conduct of Sir Robert Knolles. His 
goods were confiscated, and he received sentence of 
perpetual imprisonment. In 1389, the King met an 
assembly of his nobles at Reading. The second year 
(1400) after the accession of Henry IV. part of Read- 
ing is said, by Dart,* to have been burnt in the con- 
spiracy of Sir Bernard Brocas, and others, to restore 
the deposed King. But this is an error: when the 
King overtook the conspirators near Colnbrook, they 
retreated to Sonning, where the young Queen lay, 
and from thence fled to Cirencester, where several 
houses were set on fire by the instigation of a priest. 
It was there that Sir Bernard Brocas, Sir B. Shelley, 
Sir Thomas Blount, and twenty-eight other distin- 
guished persons, were taken prisoners, and being 
carried to Oxford, where the King lay, were be- 
headed.f In 1439, the parliament held at West- 
minster was adjourned to Reading; and parliaments 
were also convened here in 1451 and 1452. — iVbout 
Michaelmas, 1464, Edw. IV. who had been privately 
married to Elizabeth, daughter of the Duchess of 
Bedford, held a council here, and conducted her to 
the Abbey, where she was publicly acknowledged as 
his Queen. About the same time, the Lord Mal- 
travers, son of the Earl of Arundel, was married at 
Reading to Margaret, the Queen's sister. — Parlia- 

* Hist, of West. Abbey. 

f Baker, p. 159, and Grafton, p. 412. — Coates, in Lis His- 
tory of Reading, says, that Brocas was beheaded in London, 
and buried in St. Edmond's chapel, Westminster Abbey, 
with this inscription on his memorial : *^ tiicjacet Bernardits 
Brocas, miles, quondam Cam, Anne Regine Anglie'* The 
probability is, that the corpse was removed thence from 
Oxford. 



WT' 



HISTORY OF READING. 17 

ments were held here in 1466 and 1467- About twenty 
years after this, Henry VII. on the occasion of visiting* 
the town, directed the alms-house of the poor sisters 
to be converted into a grammar-school. In 1490, 
Reading" was assessed 24/. Is. Ifd. towards the ex- 
penses of the proposed war against France, and the 
following year found harness for six soldiers, at the 
cost of 7/. Henry VIII. was at Reading in 1509, and 
next year confirmed to the Corporation all their 
former privileges. It appears from an entry in the 
diary of the body corporate, that in 1543, ten ap- 
pareled horses, and ten harnessed soldiers were fur- 
nished for the Scotch war ; and in the next year, 
there were raised at the charge of the town, for the 
wars in France, thirteen harnessed men and horses, 
and twenty harnessed foot-soldiers. 

The visit of Edw. VI. to Reading, in 1552, is thus 
noticed in the Corporation Diary : '' The xiii day of 
September, in the year above said, the kynges majesty 
in thend of his progresse came to Redyng, at the which 
tyme Thomas Aldew^orth, mayor, accompanyed with 
the substaunce of thenhabitants of the said towne, as 
well burges as others, in ther best apparell, receyved 
his grace at Colley crosse, all beyng on fote, wher 
the seid mayor, on his knee, humbly welcumyd his 
grace, and kissed the mase, and delyvered it unto his 
grace, who most gentilly stayed his horse and received 
it, and immediately delyvered agayn the same mase 
unto the seid mayor; and also his majesty further 
stayed his hors untill the seid mayor had taken his 
hors ; and then the seyd mayor, appoynted by a gen- 
tilman usher, rode before the kings majesty thorough 
the towne, into the kyng's place. At the whych tyme, 
for as much as it was the first tyme of his grace^s cum- 
ing, the seid mayor presented and gave unto his ma- 
jestic ii yoke of oxen, which cost xvli. the charges 
whereof was borne by thenhabitants of the seid towne, 
as well by the burgess as others. 

" Also at the same tyme, being his grace's first cum- 
yng, certain officers then demaunded certayn dewties. 
as they called hit, which were payed unto them at the 

c 



18 HISTORY OF READING. 

costs and charges of the seyd mayor and biirg-es, as 
hereafter followeth : 

** In p'mis to the harrolds, - - - - xxs. 

To the serjaunts at arms, - ^ - - xiiis. iiiid. 

//< To tlie trumpetts, ------ xs. 

To the kynj^'s cuppbearer, - - - - vis. viiid. 

To the fotemen, ------- xs. 

To the dark of the m'kett - - - vis. viiid. 

To them'shall, ------- jiis, iiiid. 



Ixxs." * 
On the 21st July, 1563, ten armed soldiers were fur- 
nished by the Borough ao-ainst the Duke of Northum- 
berland ; and on the 16th Auo'ust, six well harnessed 
horse soldiers were ordered to attend her Majesty at 
Richmond, but their services were dispensed with on 
the 25th of the same month. — The visit of Mary and 
Philip to Reading', in 1554, is thus recorded in the- 
diary of the Corporation : " The second day of August, 
in the 1st and 2nd yere of their reg-nes, the seid kyng 
and queue came to Redyng', at the which tyme, Robert 
Bowyere then beyng mayor, accompanyed vvith the 
substaunce of the inhabitants of the seid towne, as well 
buries as others, in their best apparellys, received 
their graces at the upper end of Sivear strete, all beyng 
on fote, where the seid mayor, humblie on his knee, 
welcumed their graces, and kyssed the mase, and de- 
lyv'd hit first unto the quene, and her g'ce immedi- 
ately delyv'ed hit agene unto the mayor, and wylled 
him after to delyv' the same unto the kyng", which his 
t^race gentely received, and immediately also delyv'ed 
it agayn unto the mayor, and then the seid mayor 
appoynted by the kyng of the harolds, rode before the 
king" and quene through the town into the . kyng's 
place, with the mase in his hond ; at the which tyme, 
for as much as it was the first tyme of ther g'ces cum- 
yng, the seid mayor p'sented ther graces with iiii 
greate fatt oxen, which cost xvi li. the charge whereof 

* It would seem from this document, that the art of im- 
position was as well known in the 16th century as in the 
intellectual year 1830. 



HISTORY OF READING. 19 

was borne by tbenli'itants of the seide town, as well 
burfi^eses as others, over and besides rewards e^yven to 
officers, the sum of iii 1. x s. as apperith at the first 
curayng of kyno" Edward the Vlth." 

Two years afterwards, 40 men, in ** blew cots 
with red crosses, that cost 6s. and 4d. a cote, with forty 
new bills, that cost 18d. a bill, and conducte (money) 
16*d. a man," were provided by the town, for the public 
service, at the charge of 18/. 6s. 8d. — In 1565, an 
entry was made in the books of the Corporation of 
London, tliat all the burgesses of the town of Reading 
should be discharged of toll within that city, as soon 
as their names should be certified in writing to the 
court, in conformity to '* the aunciente allowance of 
tlieir liberties to them, made by this courte in that 
behalfe.^' — ^The Queen (Eiiz.) paid Reading a visit in 
1568, 1572, 1575, 1592, 1602, and 1603. In 1575, 
*' her Grace" had a seat fitted up for her in St. Law- 
rence's Church, the pulpit was ornamented with a 
new cloth, and the body of the church was strewed 
with rushes and flowers. In her visits in 1601 and 
1602, she dined at Causham (Caversham) House, the 
seat of Lord KnoUys, the Comptroller of the House- 
hold; and at Englefield with Sir Edw. Morris. The 
King and Queen were in Reading in 1612 and 1613. — 
Owing to the plague in London, in 1625, Michaelmas- 
term was kept here.* It appears that the different 
courts were held in various apartments of the Abbey, 
that of the King's Bench occupying the great hail. 
The Exchequer was held in the Town-hall, and the 
Court of Augmentation in the school-house; the 
Lord Keeper lodged at Sir Edw. Clarke's house ; the 
Lord Treasurer and the King's Attorney with Mr 
John Saunders, in the Friars ; most of the Judges 

* By a Proclamation, dated at Salisbury, Oct. 11, Charles 
I. strictly charged and commanded " all and every the in- 
habitants of the said town (Reading) and all other places 
within three miles thereof, that they wholly forbear to buy 
or receive any wares or merchandize from the cities of Lon- 
don and Westminster, or places adjoining, or from any other 
place, now or lately infected with that contagious sickness, 
until the end of the said term of St. Michael.** 

C 2 



20 HISTORY OF READING. 

took up their abode at the Bear Inn, which was called 
** Serjeant's Inn, in Fleet-street;" the other Juds^es 
at Mr. Thomas Turner's house, near Hi^h-bridg-e, 
which was called " Serjeant's Inn, in Chancery-lane.'' 
We now come to that memorable period in our local 
annals, tlie 

SIEGE OF READING, 

And for the ^^reater part of the following detail, we 
acknowledge ourselves indebted to Coates's History. It 
would seem that the first manifestation of ** civil dud- 
geon " in Reading, w^as first elicited in 1642, when we 
find the annexed entry in the Diary of the Siege : — 

1642, Oct. 1, O'Neal, serjeant-major to count Ro- 
bert,* sent a letter to Mr. Vachell, the high-sherifFe of 
Berks, commanding him in the king's name to raise 
the power of the county to conduct the king through 
it ; but he stayed the messenger, and refused to obey 
it. Reding is well fortified, but they want ordnance. 

Oct. 23. The battle of Edge-hill was fought near 
Keinton, in Warwickshire. After the taking of Ban- 
bury, the king marched to his own house at Woodstock, 
and the next day, with his whole army to Oxford. 

Nov. 1. A party of horse, having been sent out from 
Abingdon, advanced farther than they had order to do ; 
and, upon their approach to Reading, where Harry 
Martin was governor for the parliament, he evacuated 
the place in great confusion, with his garrison. 

Nov. 4. The King came to Reading from Benson, 
it being thought so good a post, that, if tlie king 
found it necessary to make his own residence at Ox- 
ford, it would be much the better by having a garrison 
at Reading. 

Nov. 5. '' A report made that the king was come 
to Redding. Sir Peter Killegrew returned from the 
king with a letter from secretary Nicholas, directed 
to the speaker of the house of peers, dated the fourth 
instant, from Redding." This letter informed the 
house that the king would receive any petition from 
his houses of parliament, and grant a safe conduct to 

* Prince Rupert. 



HISTORY OF READIXG. 21 

any but such as were proclaimed traitors. Tlie house 
of Commons would not admit of any exceptions, nor 
appoint any members but what they had before ap- 
pointed. 

jMany of the inhabitants of Reading who favored 
the parliament, came to the house of Commons, 
affirming, *' that they were ready and willing to ad- 
venture their lives and fortunes in this service. But, 
finding the maior, and others of the chief of the town, 
were of the malignant party, and did seek to intrap 
a worthy member of the house of Commons, and did 
agree among themselves to surrender the town to the 
cavaliers, they, for the preservation of themselves and 
their amies, left the towne." 

In order to throw some degree of ridicule on the 
mayor of Reading for his loyalty, the following story 
appeared in the newspapers of the day. ^* At the 
king's coming to Reddinge, a speech was made unto 
him by the maior of the towne; wherein, after he had 
in the best words he could devise, bid him welcome 
thither, for want of more matter he concluded very 
abruptly. Not long after, he invited Prince Robert to 
a sumptuous dinner, providing for him all the dainties 
he could get, but especially a woodcock, which he 
brought in himself. Prince Robert gave him many 
thanks for his good cheere, and asked him whose was 
all that plate that stood upon the cupboard ? The 
mayor, who had set out all his plate to make a show, 
and besides had borrowed a great deal of his neigh- 
bours to grace himself withal, replied, '' And please 
your highness, that plate is mine.'' '' No," quoth 
the prince, " this plate is mine ;" and so accordingly 
he took it all away, bidding him be of good cheere, 
for he took it, as the parliament took it, upon the 
publick faith." 

After the engagement at Brentford, the king went 
to Hampton-court, and his forces to Kingston; but, 
on the parliament's declaring that their apprehensions 
for the safety of the city would allow of no propo° 
sitions for peace while his army lay so near London, 
he marched back to Reading. Soon after this, a vote 
passed both houses, that no other measure but that of 



22 HISTORY OF HEADING. 

his majesty's comin;^ to the parliament should be 
thoug^ht on for the purpose of any treaty or accom- 
modation. It was therefore resolved that Reading 
should be kept as a garrison ; and, having continued 
in the town from Nov. 4 to 28, the king marched to 
Oxford, after having seen the intended works in some 
forwardness, leaving sir Arthur Aston governor, with 
2000 foot, and a regiment of horse. 

Dec. 6. " Colonel Aston, it is said, fortifies strongly 
at the hill where Sir Charles Blount's house is, which 
commands Reddinaf." 

Jan. 14. " Wednesday last, colonel Anson feasted 
the magistrates of Reading, and hanged a man or two 
of his own, for some notorious crimes, rather to stop 
the mouths of the people, for his murdering master 
Boys, an honest citizen of London, by a seeming act 
of justice. They write that Newberry hath been plun- 
dered a second time by the Redding forces in a most 
deplorable manner, and that honest old sir Francis 
Knowlcs, the ancientest parliament man in England, 
had much prejudice done to his house and tenants,'* 
(probably at Battle-farin,J '' within a mile of Reading, 
this last vveek." 

Feb. 9. *' This day, by letters sent from Reading, 
there came advertisement that sir Arthur Aston had 
escaped a personal surprisal which he v/as very likely 
to have fallen into. One master Englefield, a gentle- 
man and friend of his, had the weeke before bespoke 
his company to be at dinner on the Tuesday following, 
being the Tuesday now last passed, whereof some 
private roundhead taking notice, had sent intelligence 
thereof unto the forces of the rebels lying not far off. 
But sir Arthur Aston, understanding that tlie enter- 
tainment was intended at a country house of the said 
gentlem.an not far from Reading, sent word he would 
gladly bear him company within the town, but he held 
it very unfit to goe forth a feasting, the enemy being 
then so neere him. This alteration of the place and 
purpose not being made knoivn unto the rebels, they 
came on Tuesday according to the first intelligence to 
the number of 600 foot and 200 horse, hoping to have 
surprised him and all his company as he sate at din- 



IIISTORV OF READING. 25 

ner ; but, finding how unexpectedly they were dis- 
appointed, they returned no wiser than they came, 
without any hurt done unto the house that we heere 
of yet." 

Feb. 12. Five hundred dras^oons, and three troops 
of horse, marched from Reading to Henley, where 
were iwo regiments of foot belonging to the parlia- 
ment, wliich were surprised in the night, being tired 
\vith a long march. The king's troops reached the 
market-place; but, being checked by a sudden fire 
from one of the enemy's pieces of artillery in a narrow 
pass, they \vere repulsed with the loss of tv/o officers 
and several men. 

Feb. 12. Sir Jacob Astley, with a party from Read- 
ing, marched as far as Old Windsor on Sunday night, 
and drove away all the horses and cattle they could 
find, the alarm not reaching Windsor castle till the 
next morning. 

April 15. The very day on which the treaty expired 
at Oxford, being the last of the twenty days assigned, 
to which the king could not procure an addition by 
any importunity, Essex marched from Windsor, hav- 
ing repaired the bridges over the Loddon, and sat 
down before Reading. According to Clarendon, his 
army consisted of 16,000 foot, and above 3,000 horse, 
with all things necessary for a siege. In. the town 
were above 3,000 foot, and a regiment of 300 horse. 
Essex made a feint as if he intended to march for 
Oxford, having so given out, aad reached the west end 
of the town where the works were weakest, and there 
possessed himself of a hedg*e and ditch, which gave 
him an opportunity of beginning his entrenchments, 
the hedges not having been cut down, nor the ground 
levelled, wliich was thought a piece of neglect in the 
governor. Upon the first sitting down before the 
town, says Clarendon, after they had taken a full view 
of the ground, a council of war ^vas held in what 
manner to proceed, whether by sssault or approach. 
After some deliberation, the danger and disgrace of a 
repulse, if they should fail in the assault, and the cer- 
tainty of receiving forage and provisions which they 
had in great plenty from London, inclined the greater 






24 HISTORY OF READING. 

part of tlie council to pursue the business by approach, 
with which the s^eneral complied. Essex then sum- 
moned the town to surrender, but was answered by 
sir Arthur Aston, that he Avould starve or die in it. 
The general having secured a post ** at a knia^ht's 
house about a mile from the town, on the south-west," 
probably at Southcot, sir John Blagrave's, began to 
batter a work at a barn called Harrison's barn. There 
was a fortified post near sir Charles Blount's, at JMa- 
pledurham, which u^as taken by the besiegers, and the 
house plundered, though many were hurt by the 
bursting of their own petard ; and they possessed 
-themselves of the post on Caversham-hill, which com- 
mands the whole town. The chief care of the ap- 
proaches was committed to serjeant-major-general 
Philip Skipton. The lord Gray of Wark was stationed 
on the east, while colonel Homestead's regiment of 
foot, with some troops of horse, were posted near the 
river, to prevent any supplies coming by water. The 
parliamentary accounts describe Reading as " a place 
strongly fortified, with a deep ditch round it, and 
strong works near and remote." But, according to 
Clarendon, the fortifications were too mean to endure 
a regular siege, being intended for winter quarters, 
not a standing garrison. However, the town was well 
stored with provisions ; and, though deficient in am- 
munition, there being scarcely 40 barrels of powder 
in the magazines, the garrison supported the enemy's 
attack with sufficient resolution; and, before the town 
was completely surrounded, a party from Oxford, 
under the command of lieutenant-general Wilmot, 
threw in a supply of ammunition, and reinforced the 
garrison with 700 men. 

The approaches advanced very fast, the low situation 
of Reading from the south and west laying it open to 
the enemy's batteries, which, nevertheless, did no great 
execution, only one person of note being killed, lieu- 
tenant-colonel d'Ewes, a young man of great courage, 
who lost his leg by a cannon shot, and expired in a 
few hours. 

Vicars says, that, after the besiegers had made them- 
selves masters of Caversham-hill, and had beaten the 



HISTORY OF READING. 25 

enemy from tlie church in the bottom, on the steeple 
of which they had planted a piece of ordnance, which 
was beaten down with the steeple itself, sir Arthur 
Aston oiFered to surrender the town, if the garrison 
might be permitted to march aw^ay with bag and bag- 
gage; but this was rejected. 

Within a week after the beginning of the siege, the 
governor being in a court of guard near the enemy's 
approaches, a cannon shot beat down a brick or tile, 
which struck him on the head, and, by the violen'»e of 
the blow, so stunned him, that he w^as disabled^rrom 
executing any thing in his own person, and his senses 
were so impaired, that he was even unfit for counsel 
or direction ; in consequence of which the command 
devolved on colonel Richard Fielding, the eldest co- 
lonel of the garrison. 

After enduring a fortnight's siege, the garrison be- 
came impatient of relief, which they had earnestly 
solicited before by lieutenant-general Wilmot ; and 
on April the 22d a servant of sir Lewis Dives, named 
Flower, swam over the Thames, and gave intelligence, 
that, at such an hour, prince Rupert would attack the 
enemy's post at Caversham-bridge with a considerable 
force ; during Avhich the garrison might easily send 
some barges up the river to receive a supply of am- 
munition, and make a sally upon the same post. 
Flower was taken by the enemy on his return ; and 
consequently the scheme was discovered. But in 
Mercurius Aulicus, April 26, it is said that the gar- 
rison received sixteen barrels of powder ; which relief 
enabled them to make better conditions than had else 
been granted. 

April 25. About ten in the morning the garrison 
hung out a white flag, and demanded a parley; but, 
at this very juncture, the post at Caversham-bridge 
was attacked by prince Rupert; the king himself 
being at hand with a part of his army. The action 
was sharp ; but the royalists were repulsed, with con- 
siderable loss, a violent storm of hail and rain beating 
in their faces during the time of the engagement. 
Vicars says, that " whiles our soldiers were in fight 
the toun w^as relieved with some little supply ; tw^o or 



26 HISTORY OF RKADIXG. 

three cart-loads of somewhat or otlier lightly laden, 
as appeared by their galloping with their burden to 
the water-side ; but what was in them was not known. ^' 
It seems by the accounts of each party that the king's 
approach to the town was after the treaty for a capi- 
tulation was begun ; but the parliament's account 
adds, that, colonel Fielding, beinjjf pressed by some 
officers to break the truce, and sally out out to join 
the king's forces, plainly told them, " that if the king- 
himselfe should come and knock at the gates, and 
command him to doe it, he would not forfeit his 
honour, and the faith he had pledged during the 
truce." 

The king retired to Caversham-house, then lord 
Craven's, and afterward marched to Nettlebed ; hav- 
ing determined to make another attempt for the 
relief of the town, if the treaty for a capitulation 
should not be ratified ; but the next day, April 27, 
the following articles were agreed upon. 

I. That the governor, commanders, and soldiers, 
both horse and foot, may march out with flying co- 
lours, armes, and four peeces of ordinance, ammu- 
nition, bag and baggage, light match, bullet in mouth, 
drum beating, and trumpet sounding. 

IJ. That they may have free passage to his ma- 
jesties city of Oxford, without interruption of any of 
the forces under the command of his excellencie the 
earl of Essex, provided the said governor, command- 
ers, and souldiers, use no hostility until they come to 
Oxford. 

III. That vvhat persons soever are accidentallie 
come to this towne, and shut up by the seige, may 
have like iibertie to passe without interruption ; such 
persons, only excepted, as have run away from the 
army under the command of the earl of Essex. 

IV. That they may have fifty carriages for baggage, 
sick, and hurt men : and that they carry not out of the 
town of Redding, any such goods and commodities as 
have been taken from the western carriers, and brought 
into Reading. 

V. That the inhabitants of the town of Reading 
may not he prejudiced in their estates or persons. 



HISTORY 0¥ READING. 27 

either by plundering;' or imprisonment ; and tliHt those 
who will leave the town may have free leave, and 
passage, safely to ^o to what place they will, with 
their ^'oods, within the space of six weeks after the 
surrender of the said towne. 

VI. That the i^arrison of Redding shall quit the 
said towne by twelve of the clocke to-morrow in the 
morning ; that timely notice shall be given to his ex- 
cellency when they begin to march, that a guard may 
be provided for their security. That at the time when 
the garrison begins to march out of the post tow^ards 
Cawsom-bridge, there shall be a post open at New- 
berry-way, for my lord general to passe into the townj 
Signed, 

Richard Fielding. Anthony Thelavell. 

John Belasves. Theophilus Gilby. 

Richard Bell. George Bond. 

Edward Villiers. 

The articles are to be found in Clarendon ; and, 
with trifling variations, merely verbal, in the news- 
papers of the times. 

\Vhen the garrison marched out of the tovv^n, and 
passed through the enemies troops, many were plun- 
dered and disarmed ; though both parties allow that 
the earl of Essex did all in his power to prevent the 
seizing of any private property-, and promised his 
soldiers 12s. a man, to prevent it. The parliament 
accounts say, that the soldiers discovered a waggon 
containing 140 muskets, which was an infringement 
of the articles of capitulation, and which occasioned 
the pillage of another waggon. But, whether this, 
or the unruliness of the common soldiers, produced a 
breach of the articles, it was the origin of, and 
became an excuse for, mutual injustice, during the 
continuance of the war, and particularly at the sur- 
render of Bristol. 

** Coll. Aston came out first, in a horse-litter, 
covered with red, and lined with white; after, two 
coaches and waggons ; and then the horse and foote 
beate a march, and so departed, with colours flying, 
towards i)xford, by Casum church." 



28 HISTORY OF READING. 

After the soldiers entered the town, they plundered 
four houses; notwithstanding proclamation had heen 
made not to plunder, on pain of death. These \vere 
the housesof four persons, called ** i^rand mali^-nants," 
who had given information to the governor of such 
inhabitants as were inclined to the cause of the par- 
liament, and who therefore paid a double tax to the 
weekly contribution The butchers' stalls were found 
full of meat, there was plenty of beer and wine in the 
taverns and ale-houses, together with 70 quarters of 
oats, and 50 quarters of wheat. The pieces of artillery 
whicli were left by the garrison according to the ar- 
ticles of capitulation, were very few for tlie defence 
of such a place ; there were two large iron cannon, 
one in "the Fort Royal," the other in " the invincible 
Fort at Harrison's barn ;" six brass sacres ; and two 
small pieces, called drakes. There remained in the 
stores 28 barrels of powder, and some small quan- 
tities in different parts of the town. The parliament 
affirmed that they lost only forty men during the 
siege, though the cavaliers shot bullets *' chanckt 
and furled" to do all the mischief possible. With 
respect to the numbers lost by the besieged we have 
no information. In the register of St Lawrence 
occur only nine burials of soldiers killed, from April 
the 15tli, the day on which the siege began, to April 
the 30th. The registers of the two other parishes are 
defective. 

In the first moment of triumph, the parliament 
were as much satisfied with obtaining possession of 
Reading, as the king was with the recovery of his 
garrison, which was nearly 4000 men, and which had 
joined him at Oxford ; but in a little time both par- 
ties were equally discontented. Those in London 
censured the conduct of Essex in permitting the gar- 
rison to join the king's other forces ; while at Oxford 
it was whispered that Reading had been betrayed, or 
too easily surrendered. The king himself was much 
incensed that no provision had been made in the ar- 
ticles of capitulation for those who had deserted from 
Essex's army ; by which means some soldiers were 
executed after the surrender. This he called giving 



HISTORY OF READING. 29 

up men, wlio had betaken themselves to his protection, 
** to be murdered by the rebels whom they had de- 
serted ;'' and he published a proclamation to vindicate 
himself from being* supposed to withdraw his pro- 
tection from such as had returned, or should in future 
return, to their duty. 

Colonel Fielding demanded a trial, by a council of 
war ; and defended his surrender of the town by the 
advantageousness of the articles of capitulation, and 
the knowledge he had of the king's former intention 
to reduce the works and evacuate the garrison. He 
affirmed, that he had no information of the king's 
approach to relieve the town, till the troops were en- 
gaged ; at which time hostages were delivered ; and he 
considered it as against the law of arms to break the 
truce, — that the governor had been acquainted from 
time to time with the state of the garrison, and the 
transactions of the siege, and seemed to approve of 
what was done, though, on account of his indispo- 
sition, he would not give positive orders; and, though 
he refused to sign the articles for that reason, yet he ex- 
pressed no disapprobation when they were read to him. 

Notwithstanding this defence, on an article *' for 
not obeying orders," colonel Fielding was sentenced 
to lose his head. He was afterv/ards pardoned, after 
long intercession to the king in his favour ; but his 
regiment was taken from him, nor was he ever re- 
stored to the command, though he afterwards acted 
as a volunteer, and in several engagements behaved 
with great spirit and courage. 

Great jealousies arose in the army upon this affair, 
and many who imagined the king's situation to be 
very low, chose to attribute it to the loss of Reading. 
Essex still continued there ; for he had lost many by 
sickness during the siege, probably from being en- 
camped on low grounds to the west of the town.* He 
was detained likewise by the demands of his officers and 
soldiers for their arrears, being disappointed of 40,000/. 
which was to have been sent by the city ; so that it was 
near six weeks before he removed from Reading, 

^ On the Battle Farm estate. 



30 HISTORY OF READING. 

Amongst those who served in the besieging army, was 
Sir Samuel Luke, immortalized and personified by 
Butler in his *^ Hudibras.^^ Sir Samuel drew up an ac- 
count of the ** beleafifuerment" of the town, which 
Mr. Coates introduced in his work, but the facts vary 
immaterially from the preceding detail. One por- 
tion of it, hov/ever, is worth transcribing, and is sub- 
joined: 

" 18th, Tuesday. The 11th day in the morning, wee 
sawe the enemie appeare on the other side of the river 
of Thames, towards Henley, upon Cawsam hills, under 
the command of generall Ruven ,• with a great strength 
both of horse and foote ; whoewent to Sonning, which 
is on the north-east side of Redding, and putt downe 
the river (as wee heare) into Redding, inboates, some 
600 musketeers ; with severall waggon loades of am- 
munition, which wee could not hinder, because we 
had broken downe Cawsam bridge, till wee had made 
our quarters sure; working that night against the 
towne, in our approaches to their works, without the 
losse of any man on our side. Only, in the morning, 
sir Anthony St. John's eldest captuine of his excel- 
lencyes guards, giveing lire to a peece, by chance 
fired the barrclls, and blew up the carriage, and killed 
three or four men outright, hurt himselfe, and a dozen 
more, though not mortally. 

" The king's forces, assone as they had putt their 
600 musketeers, with their provision, into Reading, 
retired back towards Oxford, with their horse and 
pikemen ; soe that we. heard noe more of them. All 
that night we spent in our approaches with little or 
noe losse, onely one canoneere, which was killed the 
19th day in the morning ; and, in exchange of him, 
wee heare that the governor of Reading was eyther 
killed, or shott in the neck, and hath never been scene 
since, but all orders and ticketts have passed under 
the hands of colonell Feilding. But this proved to 
bee onely that heehad his pate broke with a tile, from 
the topp'of a howse, as hee was walking about to view 
his works. 

** All this while we lay onely on this side the towne; 
so that the enemie had all the liberty that might be to 



HISTORY OF READING. 31 

walk abrode and take the ayre; driving- away cattle, 
and snapping up our strangling- soldiers between Son- 
ning and Soutbeott, which tyme they managed to their 
best advantage. By this tyme, the lord Grey appeared 
before the towne, with three regiments of foote ; two 
consisting of 700 a-piece, and one of 1700 ; six troopes 
of horse, of 80 a-piece; two troopes of dragoones ; 
and three pieces of ordnance; vv'hich begirt the enemy 
round from Sonning to Cawsom, northward and 
southward, being outreacht with as much as nature 
could afford us ; the Thames, Kennett, and the Hal- 
lov/ed brooke, with many little rivers issueing out of 
them. But all these being fresh-water soldiers, in 
the evening, hee placed some companies to keepe the 
guard from making his approaches, and he goeth 
iiimselfe to fetch away some regiments that were 
behind at Maydenhead ; and, in the m-eane tyme, the 
towne sallyeing out upon them, made our forces re- 
treat in some disorder. That night our forces in his 
excellencies quarters advanced their batteries, and 
placed their ordnance v/ithin lesse than pistoil shott 
of one of the enemies buhvarks and batteries, called 
Harrison's fort ; and all this night spent Vvithout the 
ios:se of a man." 

Sir Samuel Luke thus describes the state of the 
town on its being surrendered to the Parliamentary 
army : 

** At the howler appoiuted, at ten of the clock, they 
began to march according to agreement, with their 
waggons, four peeces of ordnance, flying coUours, 
ma^ch lighted, drummes beating, and trumpets sound- 
ing: and, as they marcht out at Fryers corner, wee 
marcht in at the same place. They had only 3 wayes 
out of the towne, where they built 3 sconces, one at 
the Forbury, another at Harrison's barne, and another 
at the end of Pangborne lane. 

** We found the towne well provided when wee 
came in ; store of provision, about 20 barrells of pow^- 
der, 10 brass pieces, their forts were well wrought, 
and strong both with trenches and pallisadoes ; the 
towne entrencht round; soe that if any man of the 
parliament's side should have delivered upp a place 
upon these terms, hee would have deserved noe better 



32 HISTORY OF READIXG. 

tlian a halter: for, there were men enow in the towne 
to have beaten any of our quarters in open fiehl, if 
they had had eyther spiritt or courage. I must alsoe 
confesse farther, that our sokliers, assoone as they 
came into the towne, went to enquire for inalisfnants; 
but, in a short tyme, were quieted by his excellencyes 
care and vigilance, hee himselfe goeing in person, 
from street to street, to appease them." 

The town being nowentirely in the possession of the 
" Roundheads,'^ we perceive by Sir Luke's journal, 
that on the 26th of May, ''his excellency began to draw 
out his forces towards Cawsham, which gave them 
occasion to call for money; soe that there was a kind 
of mutiny amongst them for a time ; his excellency's 
regiment and coll. Hampden's being the cheefe mute- 
neers. Nevertheless, with much adoe, his excellency 
drew out his owne regiment that night to Cawsam 
parke, with most of the other regiments of the army, 
onely coll. Hampden's stayed behind, and persisted in 
its muteny ; but hee, with good words and faire lan- 
guage, wrought so much upon them, that hee made 
them ashamed of their actions, and they marcht cheere- 
fully to Cawsam the next morning. 

^' His excellency quartered at the lord Craven's 
house, and his forces round about him in the parke, 
where they had a very fine and open quarter. Most 
of the officers, and sir John Meldrum and his regi- 
ment, were quartered in Reading. His excellency lay 
there 10 days, which much refresht our soldiers, and 
recovered many of that disease and infection which 
our army received at Reading."* 

* *' The town of Readuig was infected (sa5^s Baker, p . 
524,) with a pestilential fever, when Essex entered it, which 
caused a great sickness and mortality amongst his soldiers, 
besides which, they were much discontented for want of pay, 
so that when he removed to Cawsatn-hoiise to avoid the in- 
fection, many of his soldiers unanimously disbanded, and 
marched away ; but though he gained nothing by this town, 
the murmur at Oxford was great for the losing of it, and 
Col. Fielding was accused of treachery therein, and, being 
found guilty by a court-martial, was sentenced to be shot 
to death, but by the King's clemency he was pardoned." 



HISTORY OF RKADINO. S3 

From May till September the troops of the Parlia- 
ment held possession of the town ; but after the first 
Battle of Newbury, September 20, Essex fled hither 
with great precipitation, being dreadfully harrassed 
in his retreat by Prince Rupert, and more especially 
near Theale. But his stay was short ; he gave his troops 
only two days' rest, when he evacuated the town, which 
v/as immediately occupied by Sir Jacob Astley, and a 
garrison of 3000 foot and 500 horse. In May, 1644, 
Ihe King arrived here, and took up his quarters at Co- 
ley-house; but on the approach of the armies of Essex 
and Waller to Windsor and Hartfcird-bridge, his Ma- 
jesty ordered the military defences of the town to be 
destroyed, and removed with the garrison to Oxford. 
Next day Reading was again occupied by Essex, and 
remained in the hands of the regicidal government, 
till the end of the war. Some relics of the fortifications 
still remain in the Forbury, where were two strong 
redoubts, the mound of one of which is planted with a 
few lime trees, and from hence is one of the most 
beautiful views in the county — the majestic Thames 
winding its sinuous course from Sonning past Caver- 
ham, till it is lost by the intervention of the high lands 
on the Oxfordshire side. Below the mound is the wall 
of the Plummery-mead, in wliich were traces of em- 
brazures till within the last few years. The fortifica- 
tions at ** Harrison's Barn," or the "Invincible Fort," 
situated at the west end of Castle-street, are completely 
erased, so as to " leave not a wreck behind." Both of 
these positions, no doubt, were formidable to a besieg- 
ing army, and more especially when we recollect the 
little progress which had been made tw^o hundred 
years ago in the art of gunnery and the managem.ent 
of heavy artillery. The following document will sho-T 
the state of the town and the pitiable sufferings of the 
inhabitants during and after the siege: 

** To the King's most exrelient majesty. 

" The humble petition of the mayor, aldermen, and t!ie 
inhabitants of the town of Reading, humbly sheueth, 

** That your petitioners, in obedience to your majesty's 
commands, did attend on sir Arthur Aston, governor of t!ie 

D 



34 HISTORY OF READING. 

Bald town, who, in your majevSty's name, desired your peti- 
tioners to undertake the further monthly loane of 2000/. 
whereas, your petitioners, since the first advancement of 
your majesty's armie to the said towne, have been charged 
with neer4600/. besides 1000/. contribution for cloth ;4000/. 
loan, and other losses of the inhabitants of the said towne ;. 
that your petitioners have bin enforced to engage themselves^ 
and the lands and meanes of the said town, in 1000/. for the 
payment of the said sume, even to the undoeing of the said 
towne. 

** May it therefore please your most excellent majesty, 
the premisses considered, to take into your princely consi- 
deration the miserable estate of your petitioners, who, 
through the general distractions of the kingdom, the decay 
of trade, the dayly charge of your majesty's army billetted 
with us, and the miserable cry of the numerous poor, are 
soe impov'isbed, that most of your petic'oners are scarce 
able to support themselves and their sev'all families with 
conveniences, altogether unable, tho willing, to supply your 
ma'tyes com'aunds. And therefore hope for your ma'ties 
excuse therein, and your petitioners shall ever, as in duty 
bound, pray for your ma'ties longe and happy raigne.'* 

The King's Answer. 
" At the Court at Oxford, 11 Jan. 1642. 
*' His majestie hath taken considerac'on of this petic'on, 
and com'anded me to give this answer: that, albeit he is 
very graciously inclined to favour the petic'oners, for many 
respects; yet, considering his present occasions, he sailh he 
cannot but insist upon the loane of two thousand pounds 
more. But, for the ease of those who are well-affected in 
that towne, he requires that such of the inhabitants there as 
have either contributed to the rebels, or appeared to have 
been really ill-affected to his majesties person and govern- 
ment, that all such be at least doubly charged ; and that, 
for the rest, his Majestie wisheth that the tax belayed with 
rsmuch equality as may be. And in these particulars his 
majestie recom'ends it to sir Arthur Aston, knt. governor of 
Reading, to give his best assistance to the maior and alder- 
men of the said towne. 

** Edw. Nicholas." 

In July, 1647, the unhappy King — now a prisoner 
in the hands of his bitter enemies, — was removed from 
Windsor to Maidenhead, and from thence to Caver- 
sham-house, the residence of the Lord Craven ; and 



niSTORY OF READING. 35 

tliere the fallen Monarch had an interview with his 
children, owing to the kindly intervention of General 
Fairfax. It is said that Cromwell was present at one 
of these afflicting' and heart-rending scenes, and de- 
scribed it, to Sir John Berkeley, as " the tenderest 
sight his eyes ever beheld." It is added, that Sir John 
actually communicated the observation of the arch- 
hypocrite to his Sovereign, intimating that Cromwell 
had also '^ said much in commendation of his Ma- 
jesty," and expressed a wish *' that God would be 
pleased to look upon him according to the sincerity of 
his heart towards the King."* 

The general loyalty of the inhabitants — their at- 
tachment to Kingly government— were joyfully eli- 
cited on the restoration of Charles II. His Majesty 
was proclaimed with marked solemnity on the 10th of 
May, 1660, and a stage was " set up for the purpose 
in the open Market-place," the Mayor's mace altered, 
and the King's arms engraved upon it. On the 27th 
of August, the King and Queen honored the town 
by a formal visit. " The company on foot (it is re- 
corded) attended their comeing in the Orte-lane, and 
upon their approache, mett their Majesties; and after 
a congratulatory speech by Mr. Steward, presented to 
the King's Majesty 50 pieces in gold, which cost 
22s. 2d. each, and to the Queen's Majesty 30 pieces 
of the like gold, in two several purses, curiously 
wrought, which cost 18,?." But there was a tax ap- 
pendant, which materially deteriorated from the eclat 
of the proceedings : the Corporation had to pay the 
sum of 37^- 6^. for ''fees demanded by his Majesty's 
servants, upon his enterance and passing through the 
towne." — James II. was in Reading in 1687 ; and in 
1688, the King's army, stationed here, which, on the 
arrival of the news of the Prince of Orange's approach, 

* Those who may be desirous of perusing a formal apology 
for all the atrocities of the regicides, may refer to Mr. God- 
win's work, which is entitled a " History of the Common 
Wealth;'' and which is one of the most finished palliatives 
for rebellion and treason that has been presented to the peo- 
ple of England since the days of Bradshaw, Cooke, and 
Harrison. 

D 2 



36 HISTORY OF READING. 

had been ordered to Colnbrook, fell back to Reading* 
on the 9tli of December, it being ascertained that it 
was only a small detachment of the Prince's horse, 
which had advanced to Newbury. It is certain that 
the King was in bad odour with the people of Read- 
ing; and tradition says, that a tradesman was dis- 
patched in private to the Prince, requesting him to 
advance and take possession of the town. We are 
not told that his application was successful ; but it 
is matter of history that a strong military force 
marched to Reading, to oppose which, a Scotch regi- 
ment, commanded by Lord Ogilvie — a veteran of 80 
years old, but with all the mental activity of manhood, 
— was assembled in the Market-place, whilst some 
Irish dragoons occupied High-bridge. These were 
routed in the first onset, but were ineffectually rallied 
by the Earl of Feversham, at the upper end of the 
town ; indeed, their dispersion was complete.* This 
event was commemorated in a rhyming ballad, called 
'^ The Reading Skh'mish,^' in which occurs these lines : 

Five hundred Papishes came there 

To make a final end 
Of all the town, in time of Prayer, 

But God did them defend. 

Not many were killed of the Irish, and fewer taken ; 
eight of the King's troops were killed; and the Court 
complained that the town's-people had " fired on the 
army from their windov/s, whilst the Orange horse 
charged them in front.'^f — On the approach of Queen 
Anne to the town, in October, 1/00, the following 
orders were made by the Corporation: " Ordered, 
that the Chaml)erlain do provide forty broad pieces 
of gold to present to her Majesty, in a new purse, 

* An officer of some rank was killed oa tlie part of t!ie 
Prince of Orange ; and Bishop Burnett says he was the 
" only one killed in the whole expedition." — It is said he 
was buried in St. Giles's Cinirch ; and in the hurial list, of 
the date Dec. 12, 168S, is the entry** Captaine Conaby, of 
the Pr." 

f The anniversary of Reading Fight, as the affair was 
called, was celebrated b}' ringing the bells of the different 
churches, till within the last few years. 



HISTORY OF READING. 37 

bein^ the first time of her progress through this Cor- 
poration. — Ordered, that Mr. Mayor, the Aldermen, 
and Burgesses, meet her IMajesty on horseback, next 
Friday, as she passes through this Borough ; and also 
that six persons attend to hold the horses; and also 
the Town-Attorney (Town-Clerk), and officers like- 
wise attend on horseback." 

Since this period, the Borough has been but seldom 
visited by *' enthroned royalty ;'' but members of the 
reigning families have frequently passed through : on 
the 21st of August, 1738, the Prince and Princess of 
Wales came to Reading by water : *' they diverted 
themselves upon the Thames in their barge, and sailed 
up the Kennet as far as High-bridge, where they were 
received with loud acclamations " — In 1740, " the 
Princess Amelia hunted in the neighbourhood ; the stag 
was roused near Billingbear, and ran 50 miles across 
the country — he crossed the Thames at Reading, Go- 
ring, and Whitchurch, and ran towards Aldworth : 
when he was lost in the woods of Chapel-row. The 
Princess, on her return, took refreshment at the Crown 
Inn." — George II. and III. have passed through the 
town incog. In 1813, his present Majesty, when 
Prince Regent, paid a visit to R. Borough, Esq. at 
Basildon House, accompanied by his royal brother 
the Duke of Clarence, and many of the nobility. 
During their Royal Highnesses stay there, they were 
waited upon by the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, 
and principal Inhabitants of the Borough, in a long 
train of carriages, and many hundreds following on 
horse-back. An address of congratulation was pre- 
sented to the Regent by the Mayor, Lancelot Aust- 
wick, Esq. in the name of the Body Corporate and 
Inhabitants generally; and his Royal Highness was 
pleased to offer the honor of knighthood to his Wor- 
ship, which mark of condescension the worthy magis- 
trate respectfully declined. 



38 HISTORY OF READING. 



CIVIC GOVERNMENT. 

To those who are embiied with a taste for praeto- 
rian antiquities, there are few investisfations more 
interesting, than in endeavoaring to lift the veil which 
conceals the origin of civic authority — and more es- 
pecially of those officers, to whom, either by prescrip- 
tion or charter, are entrusted the conservation of the 
public peace, and the administration of public justice, 
in cities and boroughs. The every-day occurrences 
of our tribunals show, that, notwithstanding the con- 
tinued enquiries which are making on this important 
subject — and although several commissions have been 
formed for the examination of the national records, — 
it is still one c^n which much yet remains to be learnt. 
Reading is a borough by prescription ; and there is 
no doubt but its corporate authority originated, like 
the municipal establishments of most of our old towns, 
in a guild-mercatory. It is quite certain there was a 
guild here as early as the reign of Henry III. ; this 
fact is proved by the recitation of the charter of that 
Sovereign, in the Inspeximus of Edward III. which 
is annexed in the note* — but the probability is, that 

* " EDWARDUS, Dei gratia, &c. Edward, by the grace of 
God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, to 
all archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, 
justices, viscounts, governors, magistrates, and to all our 
bailiffs, and faithful subjects, greeting. 
*' WE have inspected a charter, which the lord Henry of 
celebrated memory, formerly king of England, our proge- 
nitor, made, in these words : 

" ' HENRY, by the grace of God, king of England, lord 
of Ireland, duke of Normandy, of Acquitaine, and earl of 
Anjou ; to all archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, 
barons, justices, viscounts, governors, magistrates, and to 
all our bailiffs, and faithful subjects, greeting. Know ye, 
that we will, and command for ourself and our heirs, that 
all the burgesses of Radinge who belong to the guild-mer- 
chant in Radinge, may be for ever free from all shires and 
hundred courts, and from all picas, {j^lacitis) complaints. 



HISTORY OF READING. 39 

it existed as early as the reig"!! of Henry I. perhaps 
antecedently to the founding of the Abbey. A local 
historian (Mr. Man) observes, that the guild-merchant 
was nothing mere than *^ a society of mechanics and 
tradesmen/' formed for mutual advantage, " without 
pretending to interfere in the government of the 
Borough ;" but this statement is erroneous : there is 
little reason to doubt that these guilds existed even 
before the Norman invasion ; and in every instance 
where they were establislied, the local government 
was delegated to them. This was the case at London, 
at York, at Chester, and in most of our ancient 
cities ; and we may take it for granted, Reading did 
not form a particular exception. The guild was un- 

toUs, passages, ways, and carriage wa3"s, and that ihey 
may buy and sell wheresoever they will, throughout all 
England, without paying toll, and no one may disturb them 
under forfeiture of ten marks. Witness to these presents, 
the venerable father the archbishop of Canterbury, primate 
of all England, Richd. earl of Cornwall our brother, Pelcr 
de Malund, Richard Fitznicholas, Bertram de Croill, John 
de Grey, Master William de Kilkenny archdeacon of Co- 
ventry, Henry de Wengh, Henry de Bathon, Robert Wale- 
rand, William de Grey, Nicholas de St. Maurc, Imbert 
Pngeys, William Gerum, Rogerde Bovin, and others. Given 
under our hand, at Portsmouth, the fifth day of July, in the 
37th year of our reign.' " 

*' Now we grant and confirm the above charter, with its 
contents, to the burgesses of the aforesaid town, their heirs, 
and successors, being burgesses of the said town, for us and 
our heirs, so far as the above charter reasonably v.itnesscs ; 
and in like manner as the same bingesses and their predeces- 
sors have hitherto used and enjoyed, by these uords above 
mentioned, that is to say, that the said burgesses may be 
undisturbed in every thing, pleas (placitis] only excepted. 

*' Witnesses to tiiese presents, the venera))le fathers, 
John, archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England, 
Richard, of London, Richard of Chichester, bishops ; Wil- 
liam de Bohun earl of Northampton, Thomas de Bellocampo 
earl of Warwick, Thomas Wake de Lydell, Richard de 
Stafford, steward of our household, and others. 

** Given under our hand at Westminster, the tenth 
day of June, in the eighteenth year of our 
reign over England, and in the fourth over 
France." 



40 KISTOHY OF READING. 

questionably the orii^in of the Corporation ; and the 
title of " Mayor " succeeded here, as at other places, 
to that of the ** Keeper" or "Warden" of the civic 
fraternity. — It appears from the charter given in the 
preceding page, that no judicial power was conceded 
to the guild; indeed, the paramount authority was 
especially vested in the Abbot and Monks by Henry I, 
and the privileges of the inhabitants were insignifi- 
cant and, considered in a modern point of view, worth- 
less. — Richard II. confirmed the charter of Edward; 
as did Henry IV. and Henry V. It is in the charter 
granted by Henry VI. that we first see a recognition 
of the title of Mayor; and in the subsequent charters 
by Henry VII. Henry VIII. Edward VI. and their suc- 
cessors, the Body Corporate v/ere stiled the *' Mayor 
and Burgesses." But Elizabeth was the great bene- 
factress of the Corporation t she enlarged their autho- 
rity, and invested them with estates, formerly part of 
tlie Abbey lands ;* and repeatedly, during her long 
reign, visited and resided in the town, a part of the 
dissolved Monastery being fitted up for her reception, 
and called the " Queen^s House."t "^^e ordained 
that there should be nine capital and sixteen secon- 
dary Burgesses, and that the Mayor, the primary and 
secondary Burgesses, should be the permanent Com- 
mon Council for the Borough," for the better order 
and government of men residing therein, and of the 
business of the Borough. It may be well, perhaps, 
to recite some of the provisions of the Queen's grant 
to the Corporation : 

* It \yas by tbis^rant that the Body Corporate became 
liable to the* repair and rebuilding of the bridges in the 
Borough, and to find a school-master for the free- school 
for ever. In this charter no less than nineteen bridges are 
mentioned, including the south end of Caversham-bridge, 
seven in the old road, six leading from Caversham-bridge, 
two between the old Guild-hall and Garrard's Cross, one in 
Duke-street, and one over the Malt Mill Brook. 

t The range of ancient brick buildings at the north side 
of St. Lawrence's Church-yard were, in all probability, 
built in the reign of Elizabeth, and used as, and called, the 
Qiccena s^tables^ 



HISTORY OF READING. 41 

'* For the repair of the bridges, she ^ives the Mayor 
and Burgesses power to cut down and carry 50 trees 
called timber oaks, 30 thereof in her demesne of 
Whitley, and 20 others in the parish of Binfield ; and 
to dig, take, and carry away, 200 loads of stones, 
called ragged, or free-stones, in the late monastery 
of Reading ; and to set to sale, carry away, and take, 
two cottages or sheds, in the grange of the said late 
monastery, with the timber and roofs of the same, 
and the remains of a ruinous house, near the Abbey- 
mill 

** And, in consideration that the mayor and bur- 
gesses shall acquit the crown, of ten pounds, to be 
paid yearly to the master of the free-school within 
the borough of Reading; and likewise of three pounds 
paid to the collector of the crown-rents in the said 
borough ; the queen grants to the corporation the 
said crown-rents, to the amount of 26/. 19s, O^d. She 
likewise grants them the little Ort, and Ort lands, in 
Reading; the chapel, and site of the chapel, at Ca- 
versham-bridge, and one rood of meadow adjoining, 
lately in the tenure of William Penyson, knt. ; and 
William, marquis of Northampton, lately attainted of 
high treason; the tolls and profits of two fairs, yearly 
held in (he outer court, called the Forbury, in the mo- 
nastery of Readvng, lately in the tenure of the per- 
sons above-mentioned ; all which had been leased for 
21 years to sir Francis Englefield, by queen Mary. 
The queen likewise grants the quit-rents of the same, 
being 3/. IJs. Od. reserving to the crown the annual 
rent of //. l/s. for the said demesne lands, as it was 
reserved in queen Mary's lease. 

To this is added, ** the gate-house, late the comp- 
ter-prison, and a tenement adjoining, near the mo- 
nastery ; the school-house, then or lately in the pos- 
session of Thomas Thackam; the conduit-close, with 
a tenement and garden ; a waste piece of ground, 
lying by the Vastern, under the wall of the aforesaid 
monastery; sixteen shops and shambles, in High- 
street, called the New Shambles ; the place called the 
Hermitage, and half an acre of land, on the west 
side of Caversham-bridge ; the site of the late chapel. 



42 HISTORY OF READING. 

called the Holy Ghost chapel, situate by Caversham- 
brid£»e ; and a small eyot, formerly in the possession 
of William Penyson, knt. deceased, parcell of the 
possessions of the late monastery of Reading ; a tene- 
ment in New-street, otherwise Frier-street, parcel of 
the possessions of the late monastery of Notley ; and 
several other tenements belonging to Jesus chantries, 
in the churches of St. Laurence, and St. Giles; and to 
Colney's cliantry, in St. Mary's ; all which, with other 
emoluments, are valued at the clear yearly value of 
41/. 9s. 7d. to be held by fealty only, in soccage, and 
not in capite, the corporation paying yearly into the 
Exchequer 22/. of lawful money of England." 

It is then recited, that, '' whereas a school, or gram- 
mar-school, founded and built by our predecessors, 
is in the borough, for educating the boys of the inha- 
bitants of the said borough , and others ^ in literature ; 
we will and grant to the aforesaid mayor and capital 
burgesses of the borough of Reading aforesaid, that 
they, and their successors, for the time being, shall, 
from time to time, when they please, nominate, elect, 
and appoint, one fit person to be and continue master, 
teacher, or instructor, in the same school, or gram- 
mar-school ; and that it may and shall be lawful, for 
the aforesaid mayor and capital burgesses, and their 
successors, from time to time, for any reasonable 
cause, to remove or expel the said master, teacher, or 
instructor; or to substitute and admit the same, or 
any other in his place, as it shall seem expedient or 
necessary to the aforesaid mayor and capital bur- 
gesses, or to the major part of them, for the time 
being." 

The subsequent charters* have been so well epi- 
tomized by Mr. Coates, that no apology is offered for 
transcribing his account of them : 

* *' Chartered rights " have afforded fine scope for the 
ingenuity and cupidity of those " learned in the law." With 
respect to the election of a Mayor, under these charters, it has 
been decided that the majority of the Aldermen or Bur- 
gesses must be present at such election ; and if a charter be 
t7ij9ar/ accepted, it is sufficient evidence of its acceptance 
in toto» 



HISTORY OF READING. 43 

THE CHARTER OF KING CHARLES THE FIRST. 

Tlie charter of kin^ Charles the First declares the 
borough of Reading to be incorporated, by the name 
of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burs^esses, of the bo- 
rough of Reading, in the county of Berks, and grants 
them the privilege of a common seal, with power lo 
break, change, or make new the same, as shall seem 
expedient. 

** The number of aldermen, of which the mayor is 
to be one, is appointed to be thirteen, with twelve 
assistants ; who are empowered to elect a mayor an- 
nually, upon the last Monday in August, who is to be 
sworn before the last mayor, the aldermen, and as- 
sistants, and is to enter upon his office on the Monday 
after the feast of St. Michael, the arch-angel, next 
following after such election. If the mayor should 
die, the aldermen are to nominate three, one of which 
is to be chosen by the rest and the assistants ; and, 
during the vacancy, the senior alderman is to officiate. 
Upon the death of any alderman, one of the assist- 
ants is to be chosen to supply his place ; and, on any 
vacancy, one of the free burgesses of the said borough 
is to be chosen an assistant by the mayor and alder- 
men. 

" The steward of the borough, who is to be * a 
discreet man, skilful in the law,' is to be elected by 
the mayor and aldermen; and two burgesses are to 
be elected chamberlains, to receive and keep in the 
chamber of the said borough all, and all manner of, 
rents, lines, amercements, and revenues, belonging 
to the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, of the bo- 
rough aforesaid, who are to give in their accounts, 
yearly, to the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, or to 
the greater part of them ; and their accounts are to 
be read publicly, on the morrow after the ending of 
the said account, in the guild-hall of the said borough. 

'' The coroner for the borough is to be elected by 
the mayor and aldermen, and is to continue in his 
office during their pleasure. Three Serjeants at mace 
are to be appointed, by the mayor for the time being, 
to serve in the courts, and to continue in office during 



44 HISTORY OF READING, 

his pleasure ; but other officers are to be sworn by 
the mayor and aldermen, and, in case of an equality 
of voices, the mayor is to have a castino-vote. 

** A deputy mayor may be appointed by the mayor 
for the time beinjjf, to officiate in case of sickness, 
absence, or any other impediment ; and, if any mem- 
ber of the corporation, duly elected into any office, 
shall refuse to exercise the said office, he may be fined, 
and on his refusal to pay the fine, he may be commit- 
ted to prison, and detained until he hath paid the same. 

^* It is directed that the oaths of office shall ])e 
drawn up by the mayor and steward of the borough, 
and shall be administered by sir Edward Clerk, the 
steward appointed by this charter, and Thomas Har- 
rison, gent, one of the first and present aldermen. 

*' The mayor and aldermen of the borough, or the 
greater part of them, may remove aldermen, assist- 
ants, or chamberlains, from their office, for misbe- 
haviour, or any other just and reasonable cause. No 
alderman of the borough, unless he is very aged, and 
hath been four times mayor, nor any assistant, in 
order to decline the care and burden of government, 
may go out of the borough, with his family, to make 
his abode elsewhere, or may leave his office, without 
the consent of the mayor and aldermen, or the greater 
part of tliem ; and, if any one shall go out, or leave 
his office, he may be fined ; and, on refusal to pay the 
fine, may be imprisoned till it sliall be paid. Every 
alderman and assistant is exempted from bearing 
arms; so tbat everyone so exempt shall provide at 
his own charge a fit man properly armed, to appear 
as often as the train-bands shall be mustered. 

*^ Cottages are not to be built, nor large tenements 
divided into small; no house is to be covered with 
slrav/, nor any alien admitted to a residence in the 
borough, without the license of the mayor and alder- 
men, and any such person, if admitted, may be ex- 
pelled by the said mayor, aldermen, and burgesses. 

*^ The mayor, aldermen, and assistants, may meet 
and make laws for the government of the borough, 
and of the tradesmen and inhabitants of the same, 
and of others coming into the town. They may 



HISTORY OF READINX;, 45 

enact bye-laws for their own regulation, and for the 
discovery of any fraud or sophistication in the mak- 
ing or compounding of wares ; for victualling of the 
said borough ; for better restraint of building of 
cottages, dividing of tenements, covering houses with 
straw, receiving of foreigners, ordering, disposing, 
and demising of lands. And these regulations are to 
be observed under such pains and penalties as shall 
be contained in the same lav/s, ordinances, and pro- 
visions ; and all fines and amerciaments are to become 
part of the public stock, and are not to be applied to 
any private purpose. 

'* The mayor and deputy mayor, the right rev. the 
lord bishop of Salisbury, and his chancellor or com- 
missary, the senior alderman, and he tliat was, or 
shall be, the last mayor for the time being, and every 
of them, may and shall be the king's justices for keep- 
ing of the peace within the said borough, two of which 
may be a quorum, the mayor or deputy mayor being 
one ; and no other justice of the peace is to enter the 
said borough, or intermeddle therein in any manner. 

" And it shall and may be lawful for the said 
mayor, deputy mayor, lord bishop, his chancellor or 
commissary, the eldest alderman, and that alderman 
which was last mayor, whereof the mayor or deputy 
mayor is to be one, to have, hold, and keep, every 
year, at the four times of the year, according to the 
iPorm of a statute in that behalf provided, in the 
guild-hall of the said borough, or in some other con- 
venient place within the said borough, a general 
sessions of the peace, in as ample manner and form 
as justices of the peace in the said county may do and 
execute. 

" A court of record is to be holden on Wednesday 
in every week, except the weeks of Christmas, Easter, 
and Pentecost, before the mayor and aldermen, or 
deputy-mayor and aldermen, or any two of them, 
whereof the mayor or his deputy is to be one ; and, 
in the same court, they may hold, by plaint to he, 
levied in that court, pleas of debt, trespass, or other 
personal pleas ; so that the debt, damage, or value 



45 HISTORY OF READING. 

demanded, do not exceed the sum of ten pounds of 
lawful money of England; with power of attachment 
and arrest, in as ample manner and form as is accus- 
tomed in the city of London. And if such plaint, 
cause, or plea, shall happen to be involved in so ©reat 
doubts and difficulties, that it cannot be fully deter- 
mined on the said Wednesday, the mayor and alder- 
men, or deputy-mayor and aldermen then present, 
may, at their pleasure, adjourn to the next day, or 
the next court-day, from time to time ; and any two 
of them, whereof the mayor or deputy-mayor shall be 
one, may proceed to the full hearing and determina- 
tion thereof, and shall have and receive to their ovrn 
use the accustomed fees and profits of the said court, 
and what the same judges in like cases have taken and 
had, or ought to take. 

*' Four attorneys of the court are to be appointed 
by the mayor and aldermen, during pleasure, who 
shall be sworn to execute their office faithfully, and 
shall take such fees as the mayor and aldermen shall 
appoint; and, that all petty differences may be more 
easily composed between the poorer burgesses, parties 
may be examined upon oath in the said court of re- 
cord, and any plaint or suit may be determined ; 
provided the debt, damage, or value, does not exceed 
the sum of five shilliugs. 

" There is likewise to be held, once in every week, 
a court called the orphan's court, for the government 
of the orphans of freemen or free-women of the said 
borough, who, by writing, or by their last wills, shall 
bequeath their goods and chattels to the mayor and 
aldermen, and shall recommend such orphans to their 
tuition, according to the ancient custom, and in tlie 
same manner and form as the court of orphans in the 
city of London. Provided always that the said court 
shall allow towards the education and maintenance of 
such orphans, according to the rate of four pounds at 
least in the hundred, for every year, so long as they 
shall remain in the tuition of the mayor, aldermen, 
and burgesses, of the borough aforesaid. The mayor, 
aldermen, and burgesses, are to be responsible and 



HISTORY OF READING, 47 

give security, under their common seal, for restitution 
of all i(oods, and for the payment of all sums of money 
so by them received. 

" The mayor for the time beini^, or his deputy, 
having* taken his oath before the aldermen, shall exer- 
cise the office of clerk of the market, and shall have 
and exercise assize and assay of bread, wine, and ale, 
and do all things appertaining to the said office, and 
duly punish the transoression of the said assize of 
bread, wine, and ale, and correct and amend the de- 
fects of weififhts and measures. 

*' The mayor for the time being, together with the 
clerk deputed for taking recognizances of debts, ac- 
cording to the statute-merchant, and the statute of 
Acton-Burnell, shall have full power to take and re- 
ceive any recognizances of debts, and to make execu- 
tions, and do all things respectively belonging to such 
mayor and clerk, according to the form of the sta- 
tutes aforesaid. 

" The steward of the borough for the time being 
shall be clerk to the king, his heirs and successors, 
and shall receive recognizances of debts according to 
the statutes aforesaid; and the said mayor and clerk 
shall have a seal, consisting of two pieces, namely a 
greater and a lesser piece, for the sealing of all re- 
cognizances ; and that the greater piece of the seal 
shall remain in the custody of the mayor, and the 
lesser piece of that seal in the custody of the clerk. 

*^ The mayor for the time being shall be bailiff of 
all rivers, streams, and waters, running within the 
said borough, or the limits and precincts thereof; and 
shall have the survey and conservation of the same, 
and may take and have, for the use and support of 
the said corporation, all fines, amercements, and for- 
feitures, imposed upon any one offending in and about 
the said rivers, streams, or waters. 

*' And, whereas the men and free burgesses of the 
borough ought, and are accustomed, to repair and 
support the bridges wdthin the precincts thereof, and 
likewise one half of Caversliam bridge, in considera- 
tion of the heavy burden which may fall upon them 
on this account, it is ordered that the mayor, alder- 



48 HISTORY OF READING. 

men, and burgesses, shall receive of all the king's 
subjects, foreii^ners to the liberties of the borough, 
passing the said bridges, for every wain laden, two- 
pence ; and for every horse, laden with a pack, one 
half-penny; and of the owner or hirer of every barge 
passing through Caversham-bridge, four-pence. And 
in order to preserve the certain knowledge of the 
limits and bounds of the borough, it may and shall 
be lawful, for the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, to 
make a yearly perambulation of the same. 

" The mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, have li- 
cense to purchase and receive, manors, land«, tene- 
ments, and hereditaments, not exceeding the yearly 
value of 500 pounds ; and they have confirmed to 
them, by this charter, all former privileges granted 
by any charter or letters patent, or by whatever other 
lawful means, right, title or custom, had or used ; or 
under whatever name or form of incorporation grant- 
ed ; including, by name, *' messuages, lands, tene- 
ments, waters, water-grounds, tithes, oblations, com- 
mon of pasture, purprestures, rents, revenues, services, 
fairs, markets, courts of pie-powder, view of frank- 
pledge, and other courts ; return of writs, fishings, 
waters, conservation of waters, banks, wharfs, keys, 
tronage, tolls, piccage, stallage, pontage, murage, 
goods and chattels, waifs, strays, treasure found, fines, 
amerciaments, profits, commodities, advantages, emo- 
luments, hereditaments, gaols, free-schools, power of 
naming and removing a master or masters, a teacher 
or teachers of those schools, authorities, liberties, 
privileges, rights, jurisdictions, immunities, ease- 
ments, and exemptions, whatsoever." Dated at West- 
minster, December 17, 1638, in the fourteenth year 
of his reign. 

This is the governing charter of the borough, sub- 
ject to some slight alterations made by the charters 
of the second and tenth years of Charles the Second. 

The charter of the second of Charles the Second 
directs, that the mayor, before he enters upon his 
office, shall be sworn before the recorder, instead of 
the last mayor, the aldermen, and assistants, as in the 
preceding charter ; that every alderman and assistant 



HISTORY OF READING. 40 

shall be sworn before the mayor or recorder ; and 
that there shall be a capital steward within the said 
borough, as also a skilful man in law, who shall be 
called a recorder. Here these two offices are made 
distinct, which had been united in the charter of 
Charles the First. 

The charter of the tenth of Charles the Second, 
after the usual preamble, and confirmation of all for- 
mer charters and privileges, grants to the mayor, 
aldermen, and assistants, permission to have and to 
hold manors, messuages, lands, tenements, rents, and 
hereditaments, to such a yearly value as does not 
exceed 1000/. after all reprisals ; and these must be 
lands not held of the king in capite, nor by knight's 
service. 

The last clause directs, "that the mayor, aldermen, 
burgesses, steward, and other officers of the borough, 
and their deputies, and all justices of peace within 
the said borough, before they are admitted to their 
respective offices, shall take the oath commonly called 
the oath of allegiance, as also the oath of supremacy." 
And here it is to be observed, that the town clerk,' or 
common clerk, did not appear to be named in any of 
the preceding charters, though he was an ancient 
officer of the corporation. 

In the reign of James the Second, the corporation 
of Reading were compelled to resign their charter ; 
as were many other corporate bodies, throughout the 
kingdom. But, on the 8th of March, 1685, it was 
restored ; and the new charter was brought by sir 
Thomas Holt, the recorder, and Thomas Coates, esq. 
It was received, at the confines of the town, by the 
mayor, aldermen, and all the other officers of the cor- 
poration, in their formalities, accompanied by a con- 
siderable number of gentlemen, who proceeded to the 
town-hall, where the charter was read, and the officers 
tlierein named were sworn ; ** and the night concluded 
with bells and bonfires, and all other expressions of 
loyalty." 

The king, however, did not think the corporation 
of Reading sufficiently subservient to his purposes; 
for, on March 16, 1687, they received an order to 
turn out three aldermen, and to elect three others in 

s 



50 IIISTOIIY OF READING. 

their room; and some of the assistants were displaced 
at the same time. In the followinor year was received 
a letter mandatory from king- William, orderino- John 
Bigg, esq. mayor, to be removed, and Mr. Joseph 
May to be chosen an alderman in his room ; which 
"was the last instance of the interference of the crown 
with regard to the officers, or the government, of the 
corporation. — ^The annexed curious document is worth 
preserving : 

" An Account how the Perambulation of the 
Bounds and Limits of the Corporation of 
Reading was performed, on Thursday, the 
20th of May, 1714. 
i " The mayor and company met at the council-chamber 
about nine o'clock in the morning, and, being attended by 
the blue and green-coat boys, set out and went to the ut- 
most limits of the county of Berks, on that part of Caver* 
sham-bridge where the two counties of Oxon and Berks are 
divided ; and from thence we took boat and went down the 
middle of the river of Thames, on the north -side of the 
island that lies against Brigham's meads, and so through 
the lock to the Kcnnct's mouth ; and from thence up the 
river Kennet as far as the north-east end and corner of the 
lands called the Orte, having fisht all the waters both in the 
Kennet and Thames, according to our privilege by charter. 
From thence, where we landed, we went southward by the 
east part of the pale and out-bounds of the Orte, to the 
queen's highway there, which leads from Reading towards 
London ; and we drove two stakes into the ground, one on 
each side of the highway, which we crossed over at the 
north-east end of the lands called Spittle-fields ; and so we 
passed southward by the last part and outward bounds, 
namely, on the east-side of the hedge of the said Spittle- 
fields to the south-east part and end of the same fields. 

'* And from thence westward by the eastward part of the 
bounds of the south part of the aforesaid lands, where the 
hedges and ditches there lead to a lane called antiently 
Rudden,but now Red-lane,* and so up the said lane south- 
ward to the south-east part and end of the lands called the 
Crown-fields, and the grove called some time since Gaua- 
der's Coppice ; and from thence westward by the outer 
bounds, on the south-part of the said lands and grove, to 
the south-part and end of the Conduit-closr. 

* The original designntion was probably /iO(?«?'land— from its lead- 
ing tD Whitley- Cro6'5. 



HISTORY OF READING. 51 

*' And from tlicnce we went westward in the highway that 
leads from Reading to Shinfield, till we came into the road 
that leads from Reading to Whitley, and then we proceeded 
by the east side of the highway, and fixt a stake there over 
against the east-end of a little lane called formerly Perrin's 
lane, but since known by the name of Cut-throat-lane, 
lying next to the King's-head, on the south-side of the field 
called Clcrkenwell-field. 

*' Then we endeavoured, as our charter granted by queen 
Elizabeth directs, to pass through the whole length of the 
said lane ; but it being impassable for the mayor, &c. by 
reason the west end of it was over-run and filled up with 
brakes and bryers, and the serjeant also could not pass 
through it, we thought it necessary that the mace, being the 
ensign of our authority, should be carried through the same, 
which was performed by a young man named Wm. Champ, 
of the parish of St. Laurence, in Reading. Then we went 
by the south part of a certain close there, called Pembard's; 
and so over a certain meadow there, called Landmead ; and 
so over the river Kennet, to the east end of a certain ditch 
lying between Vobney mead and Cowley mead. Having 
passed along the north bank of that dilch, westward, as far 
as we could, without crossing any other ditch, we turned 
northward, by the east side of a little ditch that comes from 
the brook called the Hallowed Brook, to the Foot-bridge, 
near Cowley ;* and then went westward, and passed through 
the south-west end of the mansion-house, and through the 
hall and gardens. 

" And so through all the lands of Cowley westward, tilt 
we came to the manor of Southcot, and from thence, north- 
ward, by the west part and outer lands of Cowley, near 
Southcot, to the hedges by the highway there which lead 
from Reading to Newberry ; and from thence westward to 
the south-west end part of Pilefield, in Battle, where a stake 
was fixt in the highway, and from thence, northward, in 
length, by the outer bounds of all the lands in Battle, as by 
the hedges and ditches there it is parted nnd divided be- 
tween the lordship of Tilehurst, and the aforesaid lands of 
Battle, into Pangbourn-road ; and turning c;istward, we 
entered, and passed through, a house, called Bargent's, 
and so through the garden of the sn.riio^ and by the 
aforesaid bounds, till we came round to tlie hor.se called 
Battle-farm, now in the possession of Mr. Clcnlon, who 
entcitained the mayor and aldermen in the said house with 
* Colev. 



52 HISTORY OF HEADING e 

a splendid refreshment, and treated all the whole company 
that attended them with plentiful chear. 

*' From the said house, we went round tlie remaininp: part 
of the bounds, and so to the river Thames, at Cooin-bank, 
and there took boat again, and rowed through the middle of 
the river to the north part of the aforesaid Caversham- 
bridge ; where our circuit ended, about eight o'clock at 
nig-ht." 

Nearly all the charters of the town are in excellent 
preservation, with sino-ularly fine impressions of the 
seals. The charter of Henry VII. is splendidly deco- 
rated; the inaro-ins beautifully painted, and the initial 
letter inclosing a fuU-lengih portrait of the King, 
richly illuminated, and in full regal emblazonry. As 
a work of art, this curious document will vie with 
some of the highest finished productions even of the 
present day. 



COiMPANIES OF THE GUILD MERCATORY. 

It appears that the town was at a very early period 
divided into five wards, each ward having a trade- 
guild or fraternity attached to it. 

The Mercers and Drapers' Company. 

The Cutlers and Bell-founders' Company. 

The Tanners and Leather-sellers' Company, 

The Clothiers and Cloth-workers' Company. 

The Victuallers and Innholders' Company, 

These local institutions may be traced to a date 
nearly as early as the Norman Invasion, and there is 
good reason to believe that they originated with our 
^axon ancestors. — Into one of these five companies 
every person was required to be admitted before he 
was free to exercise his trade, and the fines for ad- 
mission varied from five shillings to four pounds. 

In the Mercers' Company were included the mer- 
cers, drapers, haberdashers, pot'uaries, (dealers in 
earthenware) chapmen, tailors, and cloth-drawers. 

The Cutlers' Company embraced the cutlers, bell- 
founders, braziers, pevVterers, smiths, pinners, bar- 



HISTORY OF READING. 53 

bers,* carpenters, joiners, fletchers, (arrow-makers) 
wheelers, basket-makers, coopers, sawyers, brick- 
layers, card-makers (for wool-combers,) turners, 
plumbers, painters, and glaziers. 

The Tanners* and Leather-sellers^ Company included 
the tanners, leather-sellers, shoe-makers, curriers, 
glewers, saddlers, jerkin-makers, bottle-makers, col- 
lar-makers, and cobblers. t 

The Clothiers^ Company included the clothiers, 
dyers, weavers, sheer-men, shuttle-makers, and ashr 
burners. 

The Victuallers* Company \ embraced the vintners, 
innholders, bakers, brewers, butchers, fishmongers, 
chandlers, malt-makers, flax-dressers, salters, and 
wood-mongers. 

* In 1443, in the early part of the fends between the 
Houses of York and Lancaster, the following order was is- 
sued, intended, as Mr. Man susrgests, to prevent *' unlaw- 
ful meetings" taking place in the common rendezvous of ^ 
barber's shop : 

** The Mayor and Burgesses of Reading grant and order, that from 
this time forvvard no barber open any shop, nor shave jiny man after 
ten of the clock at night, between Easter and Michaelmas, nor after 
nine of the clock at night from Michaelmas to Easter; but if it be 
any stranger, or any worthy man of the town, he shall pay 300 tiles 
to the Guildhall of Rending, as often times as he is found guilty, to 
be received by the officers for the time being. Soon after this, John 
Bristol was fined 2100 tiles for shaving seven persons, contrary to the 
order, but the number was reduced to 1200, on account of his po- 
verty." [This was rather a close shave for the poor barber. At this 
time thatch was the general covering for all houses, and the objef t 
of the fine being paid in tiles instead of money, was, no doubt, to 
introduce their use as a means of preventing fire.] 

t The rules of this company are worth noticing for their 
liberality : No one was allowed to make shoes, excepting in 
Shoemakers-row, which extended from the east side of the 
street from the Forbury gate, to the Hallowed brook : no 
foreigner allowed to sell, unless on the fair-day ; shoe- 
makers to board and lodge their journeymen in their o»vn 
houses, if unmarried ; no bull or bear-baiting allowed du- 
ring divine service on Sunday. What opinion will the piety 
of our day entertain of the necessity of such a restriction ? 

X In the reign of Elizabeth, the price of ale and beer was, 
for double beer, 8s. per barrel, or 2|d. per gallon ; ale, 4s. 
per dozen ; small beer, 4s. per barrel : the retail price was, 
best beer one penny the full quarts small beer a haU-nenTiy^ 



54 



HISTORY OF READING. 



At this time (Eliz ) the n 
different companies was as 

Clothiers 20 

Dyers H 

Weavers 80 

Sheermen SO 

Shuttle. maker 1 

Ash-burner i 

Tanners 12 

Shoemakers ...... 12 

Curriers 2 

Glovers 9 

Saddlers 5 

Jerkin- makers 2 

Collar-makers 2 

Cobblers 11 

IVIercers \h 

Drapers , Ci 

Potuaries 2 

Haberdashers .,..'. 8 

Chapmen 8 

Hosier 1 

Tailors *35 



umber of free men in the 
under : 

Cloth-drawer 1 

Cutlers 4 

Bell-founders 3 

Braziers and Pewlerers . « 6 

Smiths . . ^ 9 

Pinners :i 

Barbers 6 

Carpenters .JO 

Painters 2 

Joiners . i 4 

Flettiiers 3 

Wheelers 2 

Basket makers 3 

Coopers ....»., 3 

Sawyers / 

Bricklayers 8 

Card-makers 2 

Plumber , 1 

Turner ! 

Glaziers 2 

Bottle- maker 1 



Making" a total of three hundred and one individuals 
free of the Guild Merchant. 

We have before adverted to the extraordinary se- 
cular privileges ^'ranted to the Monastery by its 
royal patron — privileges which, in fact, placed the 
paramount judicial authority completely in the hands 
of the Abbot : he was empowered to hold courts not 
only for the punishment of ordinary offences, but 
even for the trial of capital char^^es, — the magisterial 
authority of the mayor, v/as little more than nominal, 
and the corporation were, in a great measure, merely 
dependents on the Abb?.y. As might be supposed, 
such an anamoious state of things gave rise to conti- 
nual disputes, and appeals to the superior tribunals 
from the oppressive decisions of the monastic courts, 
were by no means unfrequent. The Abbot claimed 
the right of electirio' the mayor and burgesses, and 
acted upon it ; he aid not condescend to take the opi- 
nion of the town on such elections, and in all proba- 
bility the persons lie appointed were sufficiently 
obnoxious to the inhabitants of the borough. At 
last, temp. Henry VII. the corporation resolved to 
lay their grievances before Fox, then Bishop of Win- 
chester, and Sir Charles Daubeny, the Lord Cham- 



HISTORY or READING. 55 

berlaln ; the result was, that the Guild Mercatory, as 
a body corporate, was formally acknowledged — and 
instead of the Abbot nominating the mayor, the bur- 
gesses were to select three persons, one of whom was 
to be appointed by the Abbot to that office. But, in 
other respects, the dependency of the borough on the 
monastery was confirmed ; it was ordered that *' all 
the elections be made in the lete (let) and law-day 
of the seid Abbot of his se'id town ;" and no person 
could be admitted to the freedom of the borough 
without giving formal notice to him, in order that he 
might share in the fine. The dissolution of the mo- 
nasteries, however, in the next reign, put an end to 
this degrading servitude, and as the power of the 
Abbot declined, that of the body corporate arose, and 
gradually settled down to the authority and privileges 
which, with few excptions, they now possess. 

With respect to the Guild Mercatory, a few further 
remarks may suffice : It has been well observed, that 
although their controul in the town was very limited, 
yet, as it respected their own members, they assumed 
a despotic authority : they elected such freemen as 
they pleased to the subordinate offices of the corpo- 
rate body, and if they refused to take the oaths, fined 
them at their discretion ; and it was not till 1673, 
that the amount of the fine was specifically fixed at 40/. 
and soon afterwards reduced to 20/. The fine inflicted 
on an alderman, who declined the office, was also ar- 
bitrary, sometimes being fixed at 20/., and at others 
at 100 marks. In 1642, Mr. Edward Hamblin, who 
was elected alderman, refused the oaths, when he was 
fined 100 marks, and, refusing payment, w^as com- 
mitted to the Compter prison — a gate-house, between 
St. Lawrence's church, and the present public-office, 
leading into the Forbury. He was a royalist, but w^as 
eventually discharged, after compounding for his 
estate with the regicide commissioners, in the sum of 
36/. 6s. 8d. Occasionally, the corporation proceeded 
to disfranchise and expel refractory members. We 
have an instance l)efore us of a political offender — a 
free-spoken personage, like the Burdetts or Hunts 
i>f the present day : 



66 HISTORY OF READING. 

** Inagm!jch as Joseph Saunders, one of tlie said bor- 
gesses, for sedition, and slanderons and opprobrious words, 
by him openly spoken against the Kincf's* honorable cotin- 
eil, by their comiiiandment was committed to punishment 
on the pillory, on the market-day, and there to stand all the 
market time, and then both his ears cut off : And after, for 
other seditions y lewd, and slanderous words, by him at sundry 
times after that spoken, to the great perturberance and dis- 
quietness of his honest neighbours, it was therefore thought 
fit, by the said mayor and burgesses, that the said Josepli 
Saunders be no fit man to continue of the said company — 
whereupon the said mayor and burgesses, with one assent 
and consent, for the causes aforesaid, the said day and year, 
have expelled and discharged the said Joseph Saunders, 
from the said hall and company for ever." 

Amongst other absurd privileges claimed by the 
Guild, as we have before noticed, was that of prohibi- 
ting any one to exercise his trade or calling in the 
town, unless he had been previously admitted to the 
freedom of the company ; and we have a remarkable 
instance on record, of the exercise of it in the per- 
son of a poor barber : 

** July, 1545. — Robert Hooper, a barber, being a foreigner y 
[i. e. a non-resident, or stranger] was this day again or- 
dered to be gone out of the town at his peril, with his wife 
and children.'* 

The process after this order was summary and ef- 
fectual : the town Serjeants were commanded to shut 
up his shop, and see him and his family beyond the 
borough limits. Thank heaven, with all the absur- 
dities which still appertain to corporate rights, such 
acts of abominable tyranny are no longer tolerated. 
The diflferent gradations and distinctions of trade were 
closely watched : there was a line drawn to mark the 
boundary between the trade of the carpenter and the 
joiner, a line which, in these happier days, it would 
be difficult to describe; and the sawyers were restricted 
from meddling with either of them. In like manner, 
the shoe-makers were prohibited from mending, in- 
asmuch as that would trench on the mechanical rights 
of the worshij)ful Company of Cobblers. 

* Edward VI. 



inSTOHY OF READING. 0/ 

AVhen all these restrictions on the '^ free-trade'* of 
the borough ceased to exist,* cannot now be ascer- 
tained with any de<yree of accuracy, but certainly 
Fnore than a century has elapsed since the obsolete 
authority of the Guild Mercatory has been exercised 
— and the town is open to the establishment of any 
trade or business, be the parties originating them 
residents or ** foreigners/' 

LIST OF MAYORS. 

The following is a list of Mayors of the Borough, 
from the erection of the ofSce by charter, 1st Henry 
IV. to the year 1831. Such as have a star prefixed to 
their names have been Members of Parliament for 
the Borough of Reading : 



First of Henry JV. 

1399 * Robert Hay 

1400 Robert Hay 

1401 John Hiintingford 

1402 Robert Markham 

1403 * William Keniiet 

1404 *John Hunt 

1405 John Hunt 

1406 John Huni 

1407 Robert Markham 

1408 John Hunt 

1409 * William Wynton 

1410 * Robert Levington 
.1411 John Huntingford 

Henry V. 

1412 Robert Hay 

1413 William Huntingford 

1414 * John Clarke 

J 4 15 William Kennet 

1416 * John White 

1417 John Hunt 

1418 R. Morris, or Mores 
14 ip William Wynton 



1420 William Wynton 

1421 William Huntinjj^ford 

1422 * Robert Morris, jun, 

1423 * Thomas Levingtoa 

1424 * Simon Porter 

1425 John Burton 

1426 Thomas Levington 

1427 * John Kvrkby 

1428 Simon Porter 

1429 John Kvrkby 

1430 * Simon Kent 

1431 * Simon Ladbrook 

1432 John Kyrkby 

1433 Robert Mores 

1434 John Kyrkby 

1435 Thomas Swayne 

1436 William Hunt 
437 William Hunt 

1438 W. Brussel,orBrysselv 

1439 William Selham 

1440 John Veyr 

1441 Robert Morys 

1442 Simon Porter 



* It is to be hoped the phrase " free-trade" will not be 
understood according to its modern political acceptation. 
Such '* free-trade" is already proved to have been the great- 
est curse that ever befel the country, and is quite worthy of 
the quacks and heartless *' liberals" from whom it emanated. 



58 

1443 William Sclham 

1444 Edward Ly nacre 

1445 William Bryssely 

1446 WiUiam Hunt 

1447 John West 

1448 John Sayer 

1449 Thomas Clerk 

1450 John Chamberlain 

1451 Si?non Porter 

1452 Edward Lynacre 

1453 William Rede 

1454 William Rede 

1455 William Rede 

1456 William Rede 

1457 John Chamberlain 

1458 * Thomas Bcke 

1459 Thomas Beke 

1460 * Thomas Gierke 

Edward TV, 

1461 Thomas Clerke 

1462 Thomas Beke 

1463 William Lynacre 

1464 William Rede 

1465 Thomas Clerke 

1466 John Buck 

1467 William Rede 

1468 William Lynacre 

1469 William Rede 

1470 John Upston 

1471 Robert Queddington, 
or Quedhampton 

1472 William Lynacre 

1473 John Upston 

1474 William Pcrnecott 

1475 William Pernecott 

1476 Stephen Dunster 

1477 William Lynacre 

1478 John Baxter 

1479 John Baxter 

1480 William Lynacre 

1481 Thomas Mill 

1482 Stephen Dunster 

Edward V. 

Richard Ul, 

1483 John Baxter 



HISTORY OF READING 



1484 John Langham 

1485 John Langham 

Henry VII. 

1486 John Langham 

1487 The same 

1488 The same 

1489 The same 

1490 John Baxter 

1491 * Christian Nicholas 

1492 The same 

1493 Thesamelbut no re- 

>turn bv the 

1494 The same J Abbot' 

1495 John Baxter 

1496 The same 

1497 Christian Nicholas 

1498 * Richard Clechc 

1499 Christian Nicholas 

1500 John Wilcox 

1501 Thomas Puckerage 

1502 Richard Cleche 

1503 John Turner 

1504 Thomas Carpenter 

1505 Richard Cleche 

1506 Thomas Carpenter 

1507 Christian Nicholas 
15^8 Thomas Carpenter 

Henry VIII. 

1509 Thomas Carpenter 

1510 William White 

1511 William Gifford, or 
Jefford 

1512 William Watts 

1513 *^ William ^Justice 

1514 John Pownsar 

1515 John Kopton 

1516 Thomas Bye, who died 
Dec. 27, and was succeed- 
ed bv William Justice 

1517 VVilliam Watts 

1518 William Watts 

1519 John Hopton 

1520 William Giffard 

1521 Thomas Everard 

1522 * Nicholas Hyde 



HISTORY OF READING. 



59 



1523 Ricbard Turner 

1524 William Giffard 

1525 rhomas Everard 

1526 Richard Aman 

1527 Richard Turner 

1528 JohnVansbv 

1529 Thomas Ev^erard 

1530 Richarn Aman 

1531 Richard Turner 

1532 William Style 

1533 John Rede 

1534 Thomas Everard, who 
died in his mavoralty and 
was succeeded by Richard 
Turner, for a quarter of a 
year 

1535 Richard Aman 

1536 John White 

1537 Richard Turner 
1533 Thomas Mirth 

1539 * Richard Justice 

1540 * William Edmunds 

1541 Richard Turner 

1542 John White 

1543 Richnrd Turner 
J544 John White 

1545 Richard Justice 

1546 * John Bourne 

Edward Vi. 

1547 John Bourne 

1548 * John Bell 

1549 John Buckland 

1550 William Edmunds 

1551 * Thomas Aid worth 

1552 John Bourne 

Queen Mary 

1553 * Robert Bowyer 

1554 Edward Butler 

1555 John Bell 

1556 Thomas Turner 

1557 Thomas Aldworth 

Queen Elizabeth 

1558 Robert Bowyer 

1559 Edward Butler 

1560 Thomas Turner 



1561 *Thomas Convcrs 

1562 John Bell 

1563 John Buckland 

1564 John Phip})s 
15()5 John Kendrick 

1566 Richard Watlington 

1567 Thomas Turner 

1568 Humphrey Jacksen 

1569 Richard Johnson 

1570 Robert Bowyer 

1571 * Thomas Aldworth 

1572 John Ockham 

1573 William. Lendall 

1574 Richard Watiington 

1575 Env/ard Butler 

1576 Richard Aldeworlhe 

1577 William Fyneemore 

1578 Richard Johnson 

1579 John Webb 

1580 Thomas Kendrick 

1581 Edward Butler 

1582 Richard Vv'atlingtoa 

1583 Elizeus Burges 

1584 Richard Aldworthe 

1585 Richard Turner 

1586 William Fynnemore 

1587 Richard Johnson 

1588 Thomas Lydall 

1589 Richard Watlington 

1590 Robert Harris 

1591 Thomas Deane 

1592 Elizeus Burges 

1593 Richard Aldworthe, ]je 
died in his mayoral t}-, and 
was succeeded by Richard 
Watlington 

1594 Riciiard Turner 

1595 Robert Reve 

1596 Barnard Harrison 

1597 Thomas Lydall 

1598 Robert Harris 

1599 Thomas Deane 

1600 John Blage 

1601 Edward Burningbam 

James 1. 

1602 John Webb 



%0 

1603 John Ball 
1G04 JohnThorne 

1605 Bernard Harrison 

1606 Thomas Lvdall 

1607 Nicholas Gunter 

1608 Thomas Deane 

1609 John Blage 

1610 Edward Burningham 

1611 Thomas Turner 

1612 Richard Turner 

1613 Robert Reeve 

1614 William Malthus 

1615 Robert Kniffht 
161-6 Christopher Turner 

1617 William Ironmonger 

1618 Nicholas Gunter 

1619 Walter Bateman 

1620 Thomas Turner 

1621 Anthony Knight 

1622 Robert Malthus 

1623 Robert Knight 
-1624 Christopher Turner 

Charles 1. 

1625 William Ironmonger 

1626 Nicholas Gunter 

1627 Nicholas Gunter 

1628 Nicholas Gunter 

1629 Walter Bateman 
H>'30 Thomas Turner 

1631 John Newman 

1632 William Kendrick 

1633 Robert Malthus 

1634 Robert Kent 

1635 JoIhi Dew ell 

1636 George Thorne 

1637 Anthony Brackstone 

1638 Richard Burren 

1639 John Jennings 

1640 Thomas Harrison 

1641 Peter Burningham 

1642 Thomas Thackham 

1643 William Brackstone 

1644 Simon Dee 

1645 George Wooldridge 

1646 Richard Hollo way 
KI47 John Harrison 



HISTORY OF RKADIXO. 



The Com won wealth. 

1648 Thomas Bateman 

1649 Peter Thorne 

1650 James Arnold 

1651 William Wilder 

1652 John Webb 

1653 Henry Frewin 

1654 William Mills 

1655 Tbomas Cope 

1656 Richard Aldwright 

1657 Richard Holloway 

1658 Joel Stephens 

1659 Joel Stephens 

Charles 11. 

1660 Robert James 

1661 Samuel Jemmat 

1662 George Thorne 

1663 Thomas Sickes 

1664 Thomas Cienton 

1665 Robert Creed 

1666 * Thomas Coates 

1667 Wm. Brackstone, jun. 

1668 Robert Tirrell 

1669 Michael Reading 

1670 Thomas Tilleard 

1671 John Blake 

1672 Richard Johnson 

1673 Giles Focock 

1674 Samuel House 

1675 George Goswell 

1676 R. Thornborough 

1677 Henry Stead 

1678 Thomas Harrison 

1679 David Webb 

1680 Francis Terrell 

1681 Michael Reading 

1682 John Thorne 

1683 John Blake 

James 11 

1684 William Lambden 

1685 Richard Johnson 

1686 Giles Focock 

The Charter was surren- 
dered. 

1687 Thomas Goswell 



HISTORY OF BEADING. 



GP 



William and Mary. 

1688 Hugh Champion was- 
nominated ; but, on the 
restoration of the Charter 
by king: James, 

Charles Calverley was 
chosen and served 

1689 Francis Terrell 

1690 John Thome 

1691 Richard Lambden 

1692 John Saunders 

1693 John Thorne, jnn. 

1694 James Qnarrington 

1695 Samuel VVatlington 

1696 William Moore 

1697 Thomas Oades 

1698 Francis Browne 

1699 Thomas Terrell 

1700 Francis Morgan 

Queen Anne. 

1701 Robert Noake 

1702 John Merrick, M. D. 

1703 William Wilder 

1704 Moses Gill 

1705 Luke Wise 

1706 John Abery 

1707 Francis Bristow 

1708 Thomas Piercey 

1709 Robert Parren 

1710 Robert Blake 

1711 Samuel Watlington 

1712 Thomas Terrell 

1713 John Merrick, M. D. 



1714 
1715 
1716 
1717 
1718 
1719 
1720 
1721 
1722 
1723 
1724 



George I. 
William Wilder 
Moses Gill 
Luke Wise 
John Abery 
Thomas Piercey 
Robert Parran 
Robert Blake 
Richard Richards 
John Watts 
William Everett 
Luke Wise 



1725 John Abery 

1726 Thomas Pearcey 

George II. 

1727 Richard Richards 

1728 John Watts 

1729 William Everett 

1730 Jeria Ironmonger 

1731 John Thorne 

1732 Thomas Noake 
1733^ John Abery 

1734 Abraham Watlington 

1735 Edward Lambden 

1736 John Spicer 

1737 Thomas Pearcey 

1738 Richard Richards 

1739 William Everett 

1740 Jeria Ironmonger 

1741 John Thorp 

1742 John Abery 

1743 A. Watlingtoa 

1744 John Spicer 

1745 Richard Tifleard 

1746 Wm. Armstrong 

1747 John Dredge 

1748 John Harrison 

1749 Thomas Flory 

1750 John Richards 

1751 John Hocker 

1752 Harry Austin Deane 

1753 Ben. Armstrong 

1754 Richard Fisher 

1755 A. Watlington 

1756 John Spicer 

1757 Richard Tilleard 

1758 John Hocker 

1759 John Dredge 

1760 John Richards 

George III. . 

1761 Harry Austin Deane 

1762 Richard Fisher 

1763 Richard Westbrook 

1764 Francis Whitchurch 

1765 Richard Tilleard 

1766 John Coates 

1767 Adam Smith 






62 HI8T0KY OF 

1768 William Blandy 

1769 John Dredge 

1770 Joha Richards 

1771 Riphard Fisher 

1772 Richard Westbrook. 

1773 Francis WhitchurchP 

1774 William Blandy, sen. 
*" ' John Deane, sen. 

1776 John Everett 

1777 Edvv. Skeate White 

1778 William Knapp 

1779 Thomas Deanc 

1780 Robert Micklem 

1781 Edward Micklem 

1782 Henry Deane 

1783 Martin Annesley 

1784 John Deane, jun 

1785 JohnTaylor, M.D. 

1786 Thomas Hanson 

1787 John Bulley 

1788 Richard Maul 

1789 Thomas Gleed 

1790 William Knapp 

1791 Thomas Deane 

1792 Robert Micklem 

1793 Henry Deane 

1794 Martin Annesley 

1795 John Bulley 

1796 Richard Maul 

1797 Thomas Gleed 

1798 Charles Poulton 

1799 Thomas West 

1800 William Blandv 



READING. 

1801 Richard Westbrook 

1802 Richard Richards 

1803 Lancelot Austwick 

1804 George Gilbertson 

1805 John Stephens 

1806 Martin Annesley 

1807 Richard Maul 

1808 Thomas Gleed 
4809 Charles Poulton 
1.810 William Blandy 

1811 Richard Westbrook 

1812 Lancelot Austwick 

1813 George Gilbertson 

1814 W, Andrews, sen. 

1815 John Blandy 

1816 Wm.B.Simonds 
1317 Thomas Sowdon 

1818 Robert Harris 

1819 Thomas Ward 

George IV. 

1820 Wm. Stephens 

1821 Henry Deane 

1822 Thomas Garrard 

1823 W.Andrews, jun. 

1824 Heury Simonds 

1825 Herbert Lewis 

1826 George flio:gs 

1827 William Quelch 

1828 MusgraveLamb 

1829 Thos. G.Curties 



William IV. 
1830 J.J. Blandy. 

The following' (says Mr. Man) is the present mode 
of electing the Mayor : On the day of election, which 
always takes place on the first Monday after St. Bar- 
tholomew's day, the aldermen being assembled in the 
council chamber, choose three of their members to be 
put in nomination to serve the office, this done, they 
all retire into the town hall, where the nomination is 
proclaimed ; they then return to the council chamber 
leaving the three candidates in the hall, where being 
re-assembled, they, together with the burgesses, elect 
one of the three to be Mayor, which is generally in 
rotation. However, from the adoption of this mode it 



HISTORY OF READING, 63 

is evident, that by the reduction of three of their bre- 
thren, who are thus excluded from votinjy on this oc- 
casion, the choice of the Mayor for the ensuin^y year, 
greatly depends on the burgesses, supposing the whole 
number to be present ; the latter being twelve in 
number, the former only ten. 

JURISDICTION OF THE MAYOR. 

There is no doubt that the local authorities at 
one period possessed extensive rights on the river ; 
but by the operation of the several acts of parliament 
which have been passed for the improvement of the 
Thames' navigation, they have sunk into disuse, and 
have been abrogated. This jurisdiction extended 
even beyond Henley, to Marlow and Cookham ; and 
it is conjectured,* that Maidenhead-bridge was the 
boundary. It is certain the corporation exercised 
their right by keeping swans on the river, in various 
places ; for in the early part of the 16th century (1522) 
Richard Beme, the keeper, in his return, stated, thac 
there were at Hambledon-mills two white swans, at 
Kelierman three, at Marlow-bridge one, and one at 
Cookham. This is the more worthy of notice, inas- 
much as the corporation of Henley now claim the 
conservancy of the river, for a considerable distance 
in front and beyond the town northwardly ; yet it 
would appear that the Mayor of Reading had then a 
paramount jurisdiction. But so far back as 1457, 
the mayor farmed the swans on the Thames, then 
only eight in number, to Thomas Benwell, who took 
upon himself all attendant charges, and was to pay 
yearly to the mayor three cygnets. This agreement, 
however, was cancelled, and at last the care of the 
swannery was confided to a regular keeper, with a 
salary of 20s. yearly. Till the reign of James II. the 
corporation claimed toll for all barges passing under 
Caversham-bridge, but it w^as resisted by some Ox- 
ford barge-masters, and, on a hearing in the Exche- 
quer, the right of toll was annulled. 



6C 



HISTORY OF READING. 



HIGH STEWARD, RECORDER, &c. 

The present High Steward of the Borough, is that 
excellent nobleman, the Viscount Sidinouth. The 
office is one of considerable antiquity ; and the fol- 
lowing list of those who have had the honor of filling" 
the situations of High Steward and Recorder, is, we 
believe, tolerably correct : 

HIGH STEWARDS. 



1540 Thos. Lord Cromwell 
1566 The Earl of Leicester 
1588 Sir Henry Neville 
1588 The Earl of Essex 
1614 Robt. Earl of Banbury, 

stiled the '* Lord Knolles" 
1630 The Earl of Holland 
1654 Robt. Hammond, Esq. 

he died in the same year,^ 



and was succeeded by B* 
Whitelocke, Esq. Lord 
Keeper, afterwards Lord 
Whitlock 
1674 Henry Earl of Claren- 
don 
1716 William Earl Cadogan 
1798 The Right Hon. Henry 
Addington; 



RECORDERS. 
1560 John Ockham, Queen 

Elizabeth's Charter 
— — Edward Clerke 
1606 Edward Clerke, jun. 

knighted in 1625 
163S Sir Thomas Manwar- 

ing, knight 
1645 Daniel Blagrave, Esq. 
1656 Richd. Bulstrode, Esq. 
1658 Daniel Blagrave, Esq. 
1660 Edward Dalby, Esq. 

1685 Sir Thomas Holt 

1686 John Dalby, Esq. 
It does not appear that any especial duties were or 
are attached to the office of High Steward — althoug*h 
it is probable, as he was originally appointed by the 
Abbot, that he occasionally presided in the para- 
mount civic court of the monastery. It is pretty cer- 
tain, that in the beginning of the sixteenth century, 
both the Steward and Recorder were considered high 
official personages, and in 1510 were appointed to 
administer the oaths to the Mayor and Burgesses. 
Soon after this, their duties were more defineid : the 



1687 Thomas Petlit, Esq. 

1720 Richd. Pottenger, Esq. 

1739 Charles Hopson, Esq. 

1755 John Dalby, Esq. 

1768 T.S. Dalby, Esq. 

1779 John Simeon, Esq. 

1812 Chas.Abbott, Esq. (af- 
terwards Lord Tenterden) 

1817 W. Bolland,Esq. (af- 
terwards Baron Bolland) 

1830 H.A. Merewether,Esq. 
Serjeant at Law. 



i 



HISTORY OF UEADING. 65 

Under-Steward, or Recorder, presidinof in the Law 
Courts of the Borough — whilst the office of High- 
Steward became, as it is now, a mere honorary dis-. 
tinction. There can be little doubt, however, that at 
one period he was considered as an useful local 
appendage to the royal influence, and as a neces- 
sary check on the almost regal authority of the Lord 
Abbot. This may be more than inferred by a re- 
ference to the illustrious names at the head of the 
preceding list — the proud and powerful minions of 
four successive sovereigns, and the obsequious crea- 
ature of a regicide dictator.^ — iVfter the period of 
turmoil which prevailed during the reign of the two 
Charles's and of James, the judicial otfices of the 
Borough were managed in a way more consonant with 
the privileges which the British constitution extends 
to all those who have the happiness to live under it, and 
the place of High Steward became merely nominal. 
Indeed, of so little importance was it for along period 
considered, that from the death of the Earl of Ca- 
dogan, (v/ho was elected in 17^5,) to 1/98, when Mr. 
Addington, now Lord Sid mouth, was chosen to the 
office — an interval of nearly seventy years, — the place 
remained altogether vacant.* 

Some rather extraordinary — we cannot say ex 
officio, — acts, have, nevertheless, marked the proceed- 
ings of those who have been appointed High Steward. 
In 1539, the assent of Lord Cromwell was to be obtained 
previous to the election of a Mayor ; but, it has been 
well observed, this proves nothing as to particular 
right, for Cromwell was the Visitor-General of the 
suppresed Abbeys, and as the Abbots had, antece- 
dently, nominated the Chief Magistrate, the proced- 
ing might have originated in an ecclesiastical, not in 
a civil, exercise of expiring power. It may, never- 
theless, be understood, that the High Steward has 

* A local and generally -well-informed historian says, that 
when the question of Mr., Addington's appintment was mooted 
in the corporate conclave, it was carried by a very small ma- 
jority, not out of any disrespect to Mr. A. but the^oflBce was 
C0D=ideied auite unnecessary \ 



66 HISTORY OF READING 

frequently been the medium of communication 
between the Corporation and the Crown ; and we find 
that, temp. Charles I. the Earl of Holland was de- 
puted to inform the King, that the Borough was 
totally unable to pay the quota of ship-money de- 
inanded from it. In 1622, the Earl of Wallingford 
assumed the authority of granting a license to John 
Bunsday, to kill flesh meat in Lent ; and, in the same 
year, he took upon himself to decree, that the salary 
of Sir Edward Clerk e, the Recorder, should be " six 
pounds per annum, according to the opinion of the 
counsel they had sent him.'^ It would seem that Sir 
Edward was dissatisfied with this decision, for he 
contrived to exact larger fees, till at last he was 
ejected, and Mr. Saunders, M. P. appointed in his 
place ; and notwithstanding his repeated and urgent 
applications, he was not restored to the office till 
1625, and was then obliged to submit to the rather 
galling condition of associating Mr. Saunders with 
liim in office, as well as in profits. But this duplicate 
Recordership terminated with the renewal of the 
charter by Charles I. when Sir Edward Clerk e's sole 
authority was formally acknowledged. 

It appears that the first High-Steward, appointed 
by the Body Corporate, ew officio, was in the time of 
Henry VIII. soon after the Abbey was dissolved, when 
Lord Cromwell was elected. The earliest notice we 
have of the fact, is contained in the Corporation re- 
cords, where we find he attended the election of 
Mayor in 1539. The fall of that clever but pusilla- 
nimous minister, in the following year, is matter of 
national history. From that period till 1566 no men- 
tion is made of the office, and the probability is, that 
it was not occupied ; it was then filled by Lei- 
cester, the Queen's favourite, who retained it till his 
death, in 1588.* Sir Henry Neville succeeded ; and 

* The Royal favourites, two centuries and a half ago, were 
difTerently treated to those of the present day : although Eliza- 
beth's attachment — we may say her aifection — ^to the Earl was 
notorious, we nevertheless find, that at his death, all his effects 
were publicly sold to pay his debts to the Crown, 



HISTORY OF READING. 67 

his successor, the Eurl of Essex, was complimented 
by the subserviency of the Body Corporate, with the 
" privilege" of nominatij^ one of the members for 
the Borough, and afterwards it was claimed by him 
and others, who followed in the office, as one of the 
" prerogatives" of the Stewardship. This was one 
proof oif the wisdom of our ancestors, in the " golden 
days of good Queen Bess." The fate of the ^* un- 
happy favourite" is well known : he was beheaded 
for endeavouring to excite insurrection in London^ 
by means which showed that he was eminently en- 
titled to the restraint of a strait-jacket. The Earl 
of Banbury, next in succession, not contented Vt^itk 
the nomination of one member, iv^as desirous of re- 
turning both of the Borough Representatives ; the 
Corporation had the spirit to oppose the design of 
the ambitious Peer, and he tendered his resignation 
with true aristocratical hauteur, — not, however, with- 
out condescending to name Richard Earl of Holland, 
as High Steward, which was readily acceded to. — 
Smollett describes Richard as one of the " worthless 
favourites " of the Scotch Solomon, — whilst White- 
lock says, he was **.a noble gentleman, full of gene- 
rosity," and so forth. Like other *^ generous" beings 
of the present day, he contrived to amass an enor- 
mous fortune ; and when the troubles broke out in the 
reign of Charles I. he evinced his gratitude to the 
cause of royalty, by joining the implacable enemies 
of that unfortunate Monarch. In 1643, however, he 
ratted from the ** Roundheads," and went over to 
the Royal garrison of Wallingford, and, it would 
seem, remained faithful to the Sovereign, for soon after 
the decapitation of the King, he was brought before 
Bradshaw and the sham Higli Court of Justice, and 
sentenced to lose his head, which was executed on 
the 9th of March, 1649.* The office now remained 
vacant five years; and ia 1654, it was conferred on 

* Clarendon says, he was so weak on the scaffold, that he 
cotild not have lived much longer ; and when his head was cut 
Gtf, lUtle blood fiowed. 



00 HISTORY OF READING. 

Colonel Hammond, one of the most obsequious tools 
of the regicide Dictator ; but he retained the place 
two years only, and was succeeded by another of 
Cromwell's followers — Bulstrode Whitelock. At the 
Restoration, he retired to his house near Henley, and 
then Henry, second Earl of Clarendon, was appointed. 
Previous to the election of Mr. Adding'ton, in 1798, 
the freedom of the Borough, in a gold box, was pre- 
sented to him. 

RECORDERS OF READING. 

This office is distinctly recognized in the charter,* 
which directs that he must be a discreet man, learned 
in the law, and fit : the Corporation have the power 
of dismissing him. — The following were the duties 
especially imposed on the Recorder, in the sixth of 
Elizabeth : — 

'* Imprimis. That he, or his sufficient deputy, shall 
be present at every court to see justice indifferently 
administered to all parties. 

Item. Thai he make out, in the mayor's name, all 
precepts, warrants, attachments, distringas, and levies, 
according to the order of the law. 

Item. That he, as in him shall lie, shall foresee, 
that the said mayor in all things be saved harmless^ 
as well concerning the execution of the court, as the 
execution of the clerk of the meirket, and also as 
justice of the peace,, so that the said Mayor will be 
advised by him. 

Item. That he in all causes, concerning the com- 
monalty of the hall, as return of writs for the parlia- 
ment, supplications and letters, be general solicitor, 
and in all causes concerning the mayor and burgesses 
and commonalty of the hall, as well within the town 
as without, so that always if he be about any such 
business forth of the town, his costs and charges 
always to be borne, that is to say, for every day, two 
shillings and eight-pence. 

* He was described as Steward or Recorder, 



HISTORY OF READING. 69 

Itam. That he shall well register all processes of 
court, inquisitions tiiken before the clerk of the mar- 
ket, and all other thiui^s re(}uisite to the said mayor, 
in any office which to him doth appertain ; and that 
he shall make out extracts thereof accordinsfly. ^ 

Item. That he shall keep the audit beious^ing" to 
the said hall, and the same shall register and engross 
from year to year. 

Item. He shall make proclamations directed to 
the said mayor. 

Item. He shall enter and register all acts and 
elections of mayors, and all other officers, from time 
to time yearly." 

The salary of this officer was ori^^inally forty shil- 
lings per annum, but in 1622 it was raised to six 
pounds ; in addition to which he was entitled to the 
following fees : 

*^ He shall take of every inhabitant within the 
borough, for entry of his plaint one penny. 

Item. For every stranger for the same two-pence. 

Item. For putting in of any declaration, where the 
action is under forty-pence, and for the answer of the 
same he shall take nothing. 

Item. For putting in of any declaration where the 
action is forty-pence and above, if he be a townsman 
one penny, if a stranger tv/o-pence ; and for an 
answer of a townsman one penny, of a stranger two- 
pence. 

Item. For making every levy four-pexice. 

Item. For making every distress of a town-dweller 
one penny, of a stranger two-pence. 

Item. For making every warrant of the peace four- 
pence. 

Item. For every recognizance twenty-pence. 

Item. Of every burgess at his first entry, for re- 
gistering his name, four-pence." 

At the present time, most of these affairs are trans- 
>acted bv the Town Clerk. 



70 HISTORY OF READING. 

LIST OF TOWN CLERKS. 

1652 Edward Wilmer, jun. as Totvti Clerk and Coroner 

1668 Richard Grover. in this year. 

1685 Richard Grover, jun. was 1737 Richard Clarke. 

nominated in the new Charter 1756 H. Austin Deane. 

Town Clerk and Coroner. 1765 Henry Deane. 

1687 Francis Hyde, 1792 William Andrews. 

1695 Denry Deane. — — Hugh 1814 William Andrews, jun. 

Smith acted for a short time 

It remains only now shortly to advert to the subor- 
dinate offices of the Corporation. — They are em- 
powered to appoint the four attornies of the Borougli 
Court; also a Crier of the Court, three Serjeants at 
Mace, a Town Crier, (who collects the tolls, exceptinor 
those on corn) a Gaoler for the Bridewell, and a Game- 
keeper. — Not havin^r authority to try capital offences, 
the only judicial symbol which the Body possesses is 
the mace ; this is of silver, gilt, and was made soon 
after the Restoration. It is carried before the Mayor 
on all public occasions, and is placed over his Wor- 
ship's chair at the Sessions, and other public occa- 
sions. 

OATH. 

Copy of the Oath taken by the Mayor, High Steward, 
Recorder, Aldermen, and Burgesses, on their taking 
office.— 9 Geo. IV. cap. 17. 

I, A. B., do solemnly and sincerely, in the presence 
of God, profess, testify, and declare, upon the true 
faith of a Christian, that I v/ill never exercise any 
power, authority, or influence, which I may possess 

by virtue of the office of of the Borough of 

Reading, to injure or weaken the Protestant Church 
as it is by law established in England, or to disturb 
the said Church, or the Bishops and Clergy of the said 
Church, in the possession of any rights and privileges 
to which such Church, or the said Bishops and Clergy, 
are or may be entitled. 



HISTORY OF RKADIXC. 



71 




THE MONASTERY OF READING. 

The following account of tliis ^reat Monastic Esta- 
blishment, we copy from Tomkins' Illustrations of the 
Abbey, to which we shall append some observations 
of our own. 

That there was some relio*ious foundation at Read- 
inef, before the time of Henry the First, is certain, 
from the words of the Charter, as it appears in the 
Chartulary* of the Abbey; and as it is quoted by 
Camden. But that learned antiquary seems to have 

* This Chartulary was formerly in the possession of the family 
of Wollascot ; one of whom, Martin Wollascot, Esq. presented 
to the living of Wooihampton, according to Ecton, in 1695. The 
MS. with many others, once belonging to the Abbey of Reading^ 
was in the hands of Mr. Anstead, late Chaplain to the Earl of 
Fingal. 



n 



HISTORY OF READING. 



been mistaken concernin,? the situation of the Abbey; 
near which, as Bishop Gibson observes, are no re- 
mains of a Castle^ or to have been misled by what he 
found in Leland. For he says ** near the Castle, Kino- 
Henry I. having pulled down a little Nunnery, (found- 
ed formerly by Queen Aifritha, to expiate certain 
crimes,) built a most mairnificent Abbey for Tvionks, 
and enriched it with great revenues/'* 

King Henry began to lay the foundations of this 
Abbey in 1 121,t and annexed to it the lands of Cholsey, 
and of Leominster, in Herefordshire. Two Priories in 
Scotland, Rindalgros and May, were, afterwards, made 
Cells, to Reading. This Abbey was endowed for two 
hundred Monks of the Benedictine order ; and the 
Abbot was a Peer of Parliament, next in place, to those 
of Glastonbury and St. Albans. 

Rooer, Bishop of Salisbury, issued a prohibition, 
addressed to the archdeacon of Berkshire, the Deans, 
and all his Clergy, forbidding any person to be master 
of a school at Reading ; unless with the consent and 
permission of the Abbot and Convent. 

The Abbey was dedicated, as appears by King 
Henry's Charter, to the Virgin Mary and St. John the 
Evangelist: but it was generally called St. Mary's 
Abbey, or Monastery. 

The Arms were Azure, three Escallop Shells, Or; 
which are still to be seen on the west end of St. 
Laurence's Church, though very much defaced. The 
extent of the walls must have occupied a large space; 
for the Forbury is called, in old writings, " the utter 
court," or, as we should now express it, the fore- 
court "of the Monstery :" and the Vasterne " con- 
taining nine perches in length, and three in breadth," 
IS described as close to the wall of the Monastery. J 

*' Camden. Ed. Gibson, p. 168. But if the Nunnery stood 
near St. Mary's church, as is said by Brown Willis, in his View 
of the Mitred Abbies, it was not far, perhaps, from the Castle. 

f According to Mr. Grose, the Chuixh was not consecrated 
till the reign of Henry II. or then a second time, by Archbishop 
Becket, in 1163 or 1164. 

X MS. Collections of the late John Loveday, Esq. 



HISTORY OF READING. /O 

Aucherius, the second Abbot, built an Hospital, for 
the reception of Lepers which was called the Hospital 
of St. Mary iVJaordHlene. Mr. Grose has given an ex- 
tract of its rules and orders ; which, with the regula- 
tions for the diet of persons admitted into it, are to be 
seen, at length, in the Chartulary. This Hospital 
seems, afterwards, to have been open for the recep- 
tion of all sick persons, strangers, and others : and 
with the consent of Hubert Bishop of Salisbury, the 
Tithes of Thatcham, and of Bucklebury, with the 
Chapel of Greenham, were appropriated to it, reserv- 
iijg a stipend to the Vicars of those Churches.* 

In the Year 1754, there was in the possession of the 
late Mr. John Hocker, Alderman of Reading, an ori- 
ginal instrument under the common Seal of the A])bot 
and Convent of Reading ; being a deed of conveyance 
ef a tenement in the street called Old Strete, otherwise 
Wode Strete, now St. Mary's Butts, to Henry Weld) 
and John AVyke, Churchwardens of the Parish of St. 
Mary: dated in the 28th year of Henry VI. John 
Thorne being then Abbot. There is likewise in the 
possession of the Corporation of Reading a similar 
instrument ; being a deed of gift of two pieces of 
land, near St. Mary's Church, to John Leclie, other- 
wise John A'Larder, to build an Alms-house. 

From comparing the two impressions of the Sea^I 
appendent to tlie different instruments, it appears to 
have had, on one side, the figure of the Virgin 
Mary, between St. Jam^es f and St. John ; and, on the 
other, that of the Founder King Henry, sitting, with 
a sceptre in his right hand, and the i\ionastery in his 

* Mr. Grose merftions a second Hospital at the Abbey gate ; 
but Bishop Hubert's confirination of the Abbot and ConYent^s 
Grant, expresses it to be *' in Tisum paiiperum hospital' ante 
portam Jep^sor^ in villa languentium peregrinor^ et alior^ xii* 
panpeimm.^'' So that possibly there vv^as only one general Hos- 
pital, in "confinio Redingie ecclesie ;" as the Chartulary ex- 
presses it. 

f The hand of St. James was among the reliqnes of the Con- 
vent, and a particular Charter enjoins that the greatest rever- 
ence should be paid it. See also Lord Lyttleton's Life of Heaiy 
IT, vol, V. p. 3S3, 



74 HISTORY OF READING. 

left, between St. Peter and St. Paul : the fig-ures on 
each side beiiiic in three separate comprartments.* 

Among the illustrious persons interred within the 
walls of the Abbey was its Founder King* Henry. He 
died in Normandy, December the 1st, 1135, and his 
body, being- rudely embalmed, and wrapt, as it is said 
in bull-hides, was brouoht to England, and buried at 
Reading, f His effigy was placed on his tomb, as is 
mentioned in a Charter of Richard the Second; which 
confirms all former privileges granted to this Abbey, 
on condition that the Abbot should properly repair 
the tomb and image of King Henry the Founder, 
within the space of one year. J; 

King Henry's second Queen Adeliza is likewise sup- 
posed to have been interred here. She was daughter 
of Godfrey of Lovaine, Duke of Brabant, who was des- 
cended from Charlemagne; and sister to Joceline 
of Lovaine, ancestor of the family of Percy, Dukes of 
Northumberland. After the King's death she married 
William D'Aubigne, who was created Earl of Arundel, 
1)y the Empress IVJatiida, in 1 13,9. 

Among other persons of rank interred here, Mr. 
Grose mentions Constance, daughter of Edmund de 
Langley, Duke of York ; Anne Countess of Warwick ; 
a son and daughter of Ricliard Earl of Cornwall ; and 
William the Eldest son of Henry the Second. 

During the reign of King John, in the years 1215 
and 1216, the Abbot of Reading was one of the De- 
legates appointed by the Pope to promulgate his sen- 
tence of excommunication against the Barons. In 
the 39th of Henry the Third, the maintenance of two 
Jewish converts was imposed upon this Abbey ; and in 
the same reign the King attempting to borrow a large 
sum of money from the great Abbeys was refused by 
the Abbot of Reading. || King Edward the Third, in 

* MSS. Loveday. 

'f The bowels, according to Dr. Ducarel, were deposited in 
the Priory Church of Notre Dame du Pres, at Rouen. See 
Stowe, p. 142. 

X ** Modo Abbas infra unum annum honeste repararet tum- 
bam et imaginem R. Hen. fundatoris. 

11 Grose's AjitiquiticSy vol. i. 



HISTORY OF READING. /♦> 

1337, borrowed largely from many Churches and Mo- 
nasteries ; and among the rest, from the Abbey of 
Reading ; an inventory of jewels and other valuables 
which were lent to him, appears in Leland.* 

At the dissolution of the Monasteries, the revenues 
of this Abbey were estimated, according to Speed at 
2116/. Dugdale states them to have been 1938/.: 
nearly 20,000/. per annum of our present money. 

The Abbot is supposed to have had a seat at Buckle- 
bury, now the Rev, W. H. H. Hartley's : but Mr. Grose 
places it at Cholsey, near Wallingford. His seat 
at Bere-court, now J.S. Breedon's, Esq. was called the 
Manor of Pangbourn ; and by that title was devised to 
Thomas Welldon, Esq. by Queen Elizabeth. In the 
chapel there, wliich has not been pulled down many 
years, was the figure of Hugh Faringdon, the last 
Abbot, in painted glass, f 

This last Abbot, as v/ere some of his predecessors, 
and other religious of Reading, J was himself a learned 
man, and a patron of the learned. While he was Abbot, 
there was a daily lecture on some part of scripture, in 
English and in Latin, read in the Chapter-house ; 
which the Commissioners for dissolving the Abbey 
say was well attended, and that the Abbot was pre- 
sent. § 

The Commissioners likwise mention that the Abbot 
"** delivered his reliques readily :" and, to make use 
of their own words, in a subsequent letter to Sir T. 
Cromwell, '^ he desyres only your favour and no other 
.tliynge, and I know so moche, that my Lord shall find 
him as conformable a man as any in this realm." 

Yet this ready compliance and submissive temper 
could not save the Abbot from an ignominious death. 

* Collectanea, vol. ii. p. 625. f Ashmole*s Berkshire. 

X John Holyman, a Monk, who was Bishop of Bristol ; he 
died in 1558. Friar John Lathbury, who wi'ote a Commentary 
on the Lamentations, mentioned by Ames, Typogr. Antiq. p. 
439. William Boteler, who lived about the year 1410. 

§ John London and Richard Pollard's Letters to Cromwell, 
then Lord Privy Seal. MSS. Brit. Museum. They are also 
^quoted by Styi-pe ; Eccles. Memorials, vol. i. p. 252, 



70 HISTORY OF READING. 

The act r.f suppression had past in May 1539 ; and in 
the month of November followino-, he w as hanged and 
quartered, together with two of his priests, at Reading. 
The same day the Abbot of Glastonbury was exe- 
'Cnted ; and, shortly after, tlie Abbnt of Colchester ; 
** all," says Stow, *' for denying the King's suprema- 
cie." In effect, to deny the King's supremacy was to 
deny the right which he assumed, from a forced com- 
pliance of his Parliment, to seize the revenues and 
possessions of the Cliurch: and a quiet submission to 
his power was not sufficient to satisfy him without 
an acknowledgment of its legality. 

After the dissolution, the site of the Abbey con- 
tinued to belong to the Crown. Queen Elizabeth was 
herein August 15/2, and in September 1601 * In the 
reign of James the First, great care was taken of the 
place, and a keeper of the Inxuse appointed by the 
King, with a yearly salary of twenty pounds, f This 
agrees with Camden's account, who says, that " the 
monastery wherein K. Henry the First was interred, 
was converted into a royal seat; adjoining to which 
stands a fair stable, stored with noble horses of the 
•King's.'^ 

After this, Mr. William Gray, of London, purchased 
the premises ; whose widow i3eing married by John 
Blagrave, Esq., the property came into that family. J 

The site of the Abbey was certainly admirably well 
chosen ; there are few more delightful breadths of 
landscape in the county — wood and water, hill and 
dale, in every beautiful variety of diversified nature — 
and if strength of position, and consequent security 
from external annoyance, was an object with the well- 
fed inmates of the Monastery, they possessed it in its 
plenitude, more especially in those days of cloistered 
magnificence, for the whole area, with the exception 
of the west side, is surrounded by water — thePlummery 
ditch forming the boundary on the north and east sides, 
-and the Kennett on the south, beyond which spread the 

* Queen Elizabeth's Progresses, p. 16. 
t MSS. Loveday. I Ibid. 



HISTORY OF READING. 11 

park of the Abbot, extending to the hi!>b ij^roimds in 
Whitley, and embracing a large portion of the land 
now occupied as wharfs, and the Orts' fields;— tliat 
the latter were included in its precincts, may be more 
than inferred from Leland's Itinerary: *'In enterynge 
the town from Sunning, there is a parke longyng to 
the late Monasterie there." 

The Abbey was surrounded by a massive wall, com- 
mencing in the yard of the Saracen's Head, from the 
north side of the Holy-brook,* and running in a nearly 
straight northerly direction across the site of part of 
the church of St. Lawrence, past the front of Dr. Val- 
py's house, to the north-east corner of the Forbury ; 
it then took an easterly direction, interrupted only by 
the ancient gateway leading into the King's-mead, to 
the extremity of the present wall of the gaol, when it 
turned to the south, and terminated at the north bank of 
the Kennett — the whole including an area of at jleast 
twenty-six acres. Besides the gate just now noticed, 
leading towards the meadows, and after the suppres- 
sion of the Abbey, called the Hole-in-the-fVall, there 
were three other gates: one where the wall com- 
menced near the Holy-brook, remains of which are 
still to be traced; a second at the entrance into the 
Forbury from the Market-place, between the present 
Compter t and the Church of St. Lawrence; the third 
at the entrance into the Forbury, near Blake's bridge, 
on the Kennett. The principal gateway to the do- 
mestic buildings of the Monastery, still remains in 
tolerable preservation,! although most barbarously 
patched with brick and flints, and forms a distin- 
guished feature in the varied views from the Forbury, 
or fore-court of the Abbey. The outer arch, to the 
north, is in the Anglo-Norman style, but certainly 
not of that age, being, in all probability, rebuilt after 
the original form, about the fifteenth century. The 
arch springs from clustered pillars, bending inwards 

* In Speed's Map of Reading, 1610, it is called the Hallowed 
Brook. 
f Occasionally used as a prison. 
X A North Yiew of the Gate is given at page 71. 



78 HISTORY OF READING. 

considerably at the base. The arch to the south is 
circular. Amongst the ornaments which adorned the 
southern front of the gate, there still remain a muti- 
lated figure of a fox, and a dolphin and portcullice, — 
the letter the cognizance of the House of Lancaster. 
There is another circular arch midway in the passage, 
and here was placed the gate, and in all probability a 
portcullice. This judicious position of the gate, it 
has been well observed, was admirably calculated to 
afford a place of shelter for those who had business 
to transact, either from the outer or inner court; as 
in the larger division of the thoroughfare, were two 
doors, one on each side (now blocked up), commu- 
nicating with the porter's lodges. But it is pretty 
evident that the building altogether stood detached 
from what may be termed the secular buildings of 
the Monastery, although it is probable that at this 
gate were presented to the " Lord Abbott '^ the three 
good and able burgesses, one of whom, under the de- 
cree, temp. Henry VIL he was to select for Mayor of 
the Borough. A local historian* observes, ** it is 
doubtful whether there was any well belonging to the 
Abbey at its first erection; one has since been dis- 
covered in the cloisters, which is now filled up with 
rubbish; but it is probable this was of later date, as 
it is not, we believe, usual to find wells in such situa- 
tions.'' But this statement arises from error: the 
fact is, wells are frequently to be seen in the cloisters 
of monastic buildings, in the centre of which the la- 
vatory was generally situated, which it was necessary 
to supply ivith water from such resources. However, 
it is pretty certain, that a great portion of the supply 
of water was obtained from the ** Conduit," still re- 
maining on Mr. J. J. Blandy's premises at Mount Plea- 
sant; and it is stated,f that " as some labourers were 
making a saw-pit about the middle of the last century, 
at the eastern extremity of Mr. W. Blandy's wharf, on 
the south side of the Kciinett, they discovered a leaden 
pipe, about two inches diameter, lying in the direc- 

* Man. f Ibid. 



HISTORY OF READING. / [} 

tion of the Conduit, and passing under the river 
towards the Abbey," part of which, from its situation 
under the water, still remains there, and the other 
they sold. * 

The foundation Charter of the Monastery gave a 
plenitude of power to the Abbot. The Monks v/ere 
to be two hundred in number, but like many public 
institutions in the 19th century, the establishment 
was frequently shorn of its *' fair proportion " of the 
resident church militant; for we find, in an Inq. temp. 
Edw. III., that then there were only one hundred Be- 
nedictine Monks on the establishment. The ampli- 
tude of authority — almost regal — vested in the Abbot 
and brotherhood, will be best seen by a perusal of the 
foundation Charter, a translation of which we subjoin. 



CHARTER OF HENRY I. 

Henricus, Dei Gratia, &c. Henry, by the grace of God, king 
of the English, and duke of the Normans, to all his arch- 
bishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, and to all christians, 
as well present as future, health. 

Know ye that three abbeys, in the kingdom of England, were, 
for their manifold sins, formerly destroyed; that is to say, Ra- 
dynge, Cholsey, and Leominster, whose lands and possessions 
have, for a long time, been usurped R.nd alienated by laymen. 
I, therefore, by and vnth the advice of the Bishops and others, 
my faithful subjects, for my soul's health, and the souls of King 
William my father, of King William my brother, of my son Wil- 
liam, and of queen Matilda my mother, of queen Matilda my 
wife, and of all my predecessors and successors ; have built a 
new monastery at Radynge, in honor, and in the name of the 
ever blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of St. John the 
evangelist ; and have endowed it with the said monasteries of 
Radynge, Cholsey, and Leominster, with their appurtenances, 

* The conduit spring, sanctified, of course, according to the 
superstitious belief of the day, by its appropriation to the sacred 
purposes of the Monastery, was held in liigh estimation for its 
various sanative virtues, and more especially for its cure of sore 
eyes ; it is certain the v/ater is peciJiarly pare, and its tempera- 
ture exceediBgly cold. 



80 HISTORY OF READING. 

woods, fields, and pastures, with their meadows and rivers ^ 
with their mills* and fisheries, and also with their churches, 
chapels, cemeteries, oblations, and tythes, and with one mint 
at Radynge. I have also given to the said monastery Thatcham, 
and the church of Wargrave, with the said full and absolute power 
as I myself possessed them, so to remain to the abbot and monks 
of Radynge. 

No person, either great or smaJl, may demand any thing, by 
custom or violence, as due from the m.en, lands, or possessions, 
of the said monastery, nor the levying of men, on account of any 
expedition, construction of camps, or building of bridges. 

They shall not demand of them horses, carriages, or boats, 
labor, tributes, or gifts ; but the monks of Radynge, their ser- 
vants and possessions, shall be free from all tributes, taxes, and 
all other customs, by land and by water, in passing bridges, and 
in the sea ports throughout all England. 

And the abbot and his monks shfiU have power to try all of- 
fences committed within and without the borough, in the high- • 
ways, and in all other places, whether by their own servants or 
sti-angers, Mith all causes which can or may arise, with socca 
and sacca, tol and theam, and infangentheft, and outfangentheft, 
and ham socna, witliin the borough and without the borough, in 
the roads and footpaths, and in all places, and with all causes 
which do or may arise. 

And the abbot and his monks shall hold courts of justice for * 
trials of assaults, thefts and murdell, for the shedding of blood, 
and breaches of the peace, and all other crimes, in the same 
manner as belongs to the royal authority ; and if the abbot and 
monks shall in any case neglect to do justice, the king may com- 
pel them to do it, so as the right of the chui*ch of Reading may 
in no case be infringed. 

And the men of the neighbouring manors shall come to the 
hundreds courts of Reading and Leominster, according to the 
custom of former times ; and if they shall refuse to come, the 
king shall receive their fine, and compel them to appear and 
to perform their duty. 

We decree also, as well in respect of the ecclesiastical as re- 
gal power, that whenever the abbot of Radynge shall die, all the 

* The abbey Mill is situated a short distance below the great 
gateway on the south side ; it is built of flint, stone, and wood, 
and is turned by the waters of the Holy-brook, a stream which 
diverges from the Kennett atLangley-mead, near Theale, then 
running a circuitous course to Coley, passes in nearly a straight 
line to the rvAll, In its way under the town, it i» arched over 
in many places ; and there is little doubt but what iz was origi- 
nally constructed, at least from Coley, as a canal, by the monks, 
purposely for the supply of the mill, as well as fcr the use of the 
abbey. 



rirSTORY OF HEADING. 81' 

poRsessions of the monastery wheresoever situated, shall remaia' 
free and entire, with all its rights and customs, in the hands and 
at the disposal of the prior and chapter of the monks of Radynge. 
But this also we determine and appoint to be for ever observed^ 
that seeing the abbot of Radynge has no revenues but what are 
in common with his brethren, therefore v/hoever by divine con- 
sent and canonical election, shall be made abbot, shall not be- 
stow the alms of the monastery on his lay kindred, or any others, 
but for the entertainment of the poor and strangers. 

He may not enfeoff the assessed land, (terras censuales) nor 
shall he make knights,* but, in the holy garment of Christ; he 
must be careful in his acceptation oi children, but he may 
receive aged and discreet people, as well laymen as clergymen* 

No person shall hold any of the possessions, of the abbey of 
Radynge wholly (absolutdm) in fee, but shall pay to the abbot 
and monks an annual rent and service. 

None shall hold any office by inheritance, in the house and 
possessions at Rridynge, belonging to the abbot and monks, 
but the abbot and monks shall take cognizance of every prin- 
cipal (prsepositer) or other officer, and remove them when they 
think fit. 

I give, and confirm for ever, to this monastery of Radynge, 
and to whatever belongs to it, all the above immunities, free 
and undiminished ; which, for the sake of God, I recommend 
to all those kings of England who shall reign after me to pre- 
serve ; that God may preserve them for ever. 

But if any body shall knowingly presume to infringe, di- 
minish, or to change, this our foundation charter, may the 

* Nee facial tnilites. These were spiritual , not secular knights , 
or such as were created by Idngs, as Mr. Tate observes, who in 
treating of this clause in the charter, gives the following ex- 
planation of the passage : — *' Though I restrain you from mak- 
ing knights, yet my meaning is not to restrain you from making 
all kind of knights. The making of secular knights to defend 
the realm, by service done by themselves in person, or by others 
in their behalf, I will reserve to myself, and secular men ; but 
the making of knights to do service to Christ, whether they be 
clerks or laymen, I leave free to you, so you make none but 
such as purpose to take upon them the habit of your professions^, 
advising you only to be very sparing in receiving infants into 
the profession of your order, that are unable to judge themselves 
how they shall have power to perform their vow^^s . " Sir Francis 
Xiegh also observes, *' that besides knights of a higher degree, 
the abbot made inferior ones, w^ho were always remaining in the 
house of the abbot, and in theJBcok o/Reading,^^ he adds, '* their 
diet, with, the manner of their allowance in the abbot's houses, i» 
set down, and their place before esquires,, so that these milites, 
there made and harboured, could not have been soldiers."-^ 
4^itiquarian Discourses. . 

G 



^ HIS-jEORY OF READIXG. 

great God of all withdraw and eradicate Mm and his posterity ^^ 
and may he remain without any inheritance in misery and hunger-, 
but, whosoever shall preserve the above-mentioned liberties to 
the abbey of Radynge, may the Most High, who ruleth the 
hearts of men, confirm, to him all good things, and preserve 
him for ever. 

I Henry, &c.rr-Here follows the names of the queen, the 
pope's legate, three archbishops, eight bishops, five abbots, 
and ten noblemen, viz, Robert, earl of Gloucester ; William, 
earl of Surrey; Roger, earl of Warjvrick; Stephen, earl of 
Albemarle ; William, earl of Tancaville, the chamberlain j • 
Brien-fitz-count, counstable of Wallingford castle ; Humfrey 
de Bohun; Robert ~de Haia ; William fitz-Odo; and Hugh 
l^got; who witnessed the charter, which is dated in the 
year 1125. 

Tlte followinfif letter of Pope Innocent III. wili^ 
afford a satisfactory illustration of the power assumed 
by the papal church, in the beginning of the 13th 
century : — 

To the abbot of Radynge and his brethren, as well thbse present 
as the future, professing a regular life for ever. 

We, though undeserving, are assumed to the dignity of chief • 
pontiff, by the disposal of the divine mercy, that we mighty, 
with a partial care, and tenderness, employ ourselves for the 
state of all the churches, and afford them the patronage of the 
apostolical see, that God may be the more worshipped in them, 
the more quiet they are from the molestation of evil minded 
persons. 

Therefore, my beloved>sons in the Lord, we have, out of our, 
cletaency, yielded to your desires, and do take into St. Peter's - 
and our? protection, the above named monastery of St. Mary^ 
of Radynge, of the. cluniac order, wherein you are devoted to 
the divine obedience, and do confirm the same by the privilege 
of the present vwriting. Appointing first, that the monastic 
order, according to God, and the r3e of St. Benedict, which , 
is instituted in the monastery, be inviolably preserved there 
for all succeeding times o. 

And further, that all possessions of goods, which the monas- 
tery now possesses, justly and canonically, or that hereafter^ 
by the grant of pontiffs, the bounty of kings or princes, by the 
gift of the faithful, or by any othei^ just methods, with the help-..- 
of the Lord obtained, shall remain firm^aad untouched, to you 
aud your successors, among which we tiiought proper to re* 
marie these, by our express words; Radynge, Cholsey, and 
3;ieomiDster, with the churches, chapels,, church -yards, tenth?, . 



filSTORY OF HEADING. 83i 

bfferlhgg, together with the woods, fields, pastures, meadows,, 
waters, mills, fish-ponds, or fisheries, with all other the apper- 
tenances, Thatcham with its appertenances, and the church of 
Wargrave, Wliitley with its appertenances, Wichbury with its 
appertenances, Blewbury with its appertenances, the land which 
you have in Henrede with its appertenances, Tockenton with 
tlie church of the same village and all its appertenances, the 
churches of Stanton, of Haneborke, and of Inglesfielde, with 
their appertenances, Dudlesfaude with all its^ appertenances, 
the land which you have in Heitum with its appertenances, 
also the land which you have in Lingeborche and in Stratfield, 
which was Hugh de Mortimer's, and- in Ebricheteswerde with 
All their appertenances, the lands^ and rents which you have iii 
London, and Berchamsted'6 with their appertenances, the land 
which you are possessed of below the tenement of Hon, in'the 
name of the dower of your church, with its appertenances, the^ 
priory of May with its appertenances, and Lindgross, in Scot- 
land, with its appet^tenances. 

Also, let no one presume to demand or extort from you,, 
the tenth of your ploughed lands, which you till with your owti 
hands, or at your expence, or of the tenths of the increase of 
]^ur cattle. 

But when there shall be a general interdict of the kingdom,: 
you may, after shutting your gates, .and keeping out the excom- 
municated, and interdicted, without tolling the bell, celebrate- 
divine service in a low voice. 

We do also, by our apostolical authority, inhibit any one to 
publish a sentence of excommunication, or an interdict against 
you, or your monastery, without a manifest and reasonable 
cause, or to oppress you with new and undue exactions. 

We command, also, the chrism> or sacred oil, for the conse- 
eration of churches, or for the or^inatixDn of monks, and others 
of your clerks, who shall be promoted to holy orders by the 
bisliop of your diocess, provided he be a catholic, and has the 
grace and communion of the apostolic see, to be given to you? 
gratis, and without any abuse. 

Furthermore, w<3 do, by apostolical authority, forbid any one 
building a church or oratory, within the parishes of your 
ehurches, without the consent of the bishop of the diocess j^- 
and the chapter of Radynge ; the privileges of the Romaa 
pontiff, notwithstanding, being preserved. 

Also, being willing to provide for you£ peace and tranquility 
for the future, >y our fatherly care, we do, by our apostolical! 
authority, forbid any one to commit rapi^ie or theft, put fire^ 
shed blood, rashly to seize or kill any man, or act any violence^ 
within the limits or places of your granges ; and, further, we 
do, by our apostolical authority, confirm, and, by the privilege 
of the present writing, do strengthen all liberties, and immu- 
i^siies, granted by our predecessors, Roman pontiffs, to yojij- 

&. 2 



84 . HISTORY OF READING^ 

monastery, and also all liberties, immunities, and exemption* 
from secular exactions, which have been granted to you, by- 
kings and princes, and others of the faithful. 

We do therefore decree it to be unlawful for any person 
whatsoever, rashly to disturb the monastery, or to take away 
its possessions, or to keep them when ta,ken away by others, 
to lessen them, or molest them with any manner of vexation, 
but that they shall all be preserved entire for the government 
and support, and all other general uses, of those for whom 
they were given: the authority of the apostolical see, and the 
canonical power of the bishop of the diocess being preserved. 

If therefore any ecclesiastical or secular person shall, know- 
ingly, endeavour raslily to controvert these our constitutions, 
after the second and third admonition, and doth not amend his 
fault, by making a proper satisfaction, let iihn be deprived of 
the dignity of his power or honor, and know that he is guilty 
before God, for the iniquity he hath committed, and is debarred 
from partaking of the most sacred body and blood of God, &c, 
tmtil his punishment. But the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ 
be with all those, who preserve all the laws to this place, &c, 
to. the end. Amen. 

Given at the Lateran, by the hand of John of Mary in 
Cormidin, cardinal deacon, chancellor of the holy Romaa 
church, the 10th of the kalends of April : of the indie- 
tion the 9th of the incarnation of our Lord 1207, and 
of tlie pontificate of our Lord, pope Innocent III. the 
10th year. 

The annexed order of Edward III. vestino- to the 
abbey the authority and priviledge of a mint, is in- 
teresting, as it respects the monetary history of the 
county gefierally : — 

Rex dilecto sibi Johanni d£ Flete, Sfc. 
IJie king, to his well beloved John de Flete, keeper of our mint 
■■ ' ' in London, health. 

Whereas, by our charter, we have granted to our beloved 
in Christ, the abbot and monks of Radyng, that they and their 
successors for ever, may have one mint, and one die at the 
aforesaid place (lOcum) of Radyng, there, for money, viz. as 
well for the coirdng of farthings (obolos), half-farthings 
(ferlingos), as for pennies (sterlingos), as the manner is for 
coining, and as is more fully expressed in our aforesaid charter. 
We command you therefore, that without delay you cause to 
be made and fabricated, at the expense of the abbot, three 
dies, of hard and competent metal, vii;. one for pennies, another 
for farthings, and a third for half -farthings, for the coini^vr of 
money at the said place of Radyng, and vnth. whatsoever 
impression and circumscription the abb©t shall order ; and to 



HiSlORY OF READING. 85 

s^nd tliem to our treasury at Westminster as soon as possible, 
tliat from thence, within fifteen days next after the feast of 
St. Martin, at the farthest, they may, for the cause aforesaid, 
be delivered to the abbot. 

T. J. de Shardiche, apud Westminster, the ISth of 
November, in the tenth year of our reign.* 

The abbots possessed several country seats, or, as 
they were then generally termed, granges. Bere 
Court, near Pang-bourn, was the favourite residence 
of Huc^h Fariao'don, the last ill-fated abbot. In the 
east window of the domestic chapel or oratory there, 
was his portrait in stained glass, in the monastic 
costume, kneeling- before a book, the words *' In te 
Domhie speraviy" issuing", in a scroll, from his mouth. 

* On the subject of local coinage, Mr, Man observes, 
*' This privilege, however, they seem to have used very 
sparingly, as only one doubtful specimen of the abbey coin is 
now found in tlie cabinets of the curious, and not even one has 
been found within the town itself, where, if they had ever been 
in any numbers, some of them must, in the coui'se of three or 
foui* centuries, have been discovered." — '* Mr. Coates has 
given an engraving, in his History of Reading, of what he 
supposes to be an abbey penny ; but there is reason to think, 
from its similarity to all the pieces coined in the reign of the 
Edwards, that it is nothing more than the common coin of the 
kingdom, stnick at Reading, it being usual in those times, for 
such pieces to be circumscribed with the names of the places 
tJiey were coined at, as villa Kingston, villa Carlisle, &c. , and 
in like manner, villa Radinge on this, may only denote its 
having been coined here. Had it been coined by the .?<.bbot, it 
is reasonable to suppose, it would have been denoted either by 
the name of the abbot, or ccenhblum Radynye^ as they were 
authorised to do by the above order, and not merely by villa, 
which signifies the town only. The real difference betY>eeu 
this and the common coin is, that instead of the thi-ee pellets 
in each of the four compartments on the reverse, this is sup- 
posed to have the representation of a scallop shell in one of 
them. I have not seen the piece in question, and therefore 
cannot say if the engraving is a fac-simile or not, but allowing 
it to be so, it is not a sufficient proof of its being an abbey 
penny, because, if meant to represent the abbey arms, all the 
three scallop shells would have been represented, which might 
as easily have been done as one. For these reasons I am in- 
clined to think, that this supposed abbey penny is no other than 
the comm(m coin of Edward IV. to which except in the single 
cockle-shell, it is peiiectly similar." 



^Ob HISTORY OF READING. 

Bere Court is now the property of J. S. Brecdon, Bsq. 
The other principal seats of the monks were at 
Bucklebury and Whitly. 

LIST 0F THE ABBOTS, 

1. The first abbot was Hugh, the prior of Lewes ^ 
in 1129, he was made bishop of Rouen. 

2. Ausgerus, or Aucherius ; he founded the hospital 
'Of St. Mary, for lepers, near, or probably on, the 
present site of St. Lawrence's church.* He died 
in 1135. 

3. Edward; who died in December, 1154. 

4. Reginald; died February, 1158. 

5. Roger: in 1163, the abbey church was dedi* 
icated by Thomas k Becket.f 

6. William, afterwards (1173) archbishop of Bour*- 
^eaux. 

7. Joseph; then 

8. Hugh n. who founded the hospital near the 
abbey gate, for the entertainment of the poor. In 
^199, he was made abbot of Cluney. 

9. Helias, 1213. 

10. Simon ; died 1226. 

J 1. Adam de Lathbury, prior of Leominster, d. 1238. 
J 2. Richard, late sub-prior. 

* The rules of this hospital are worth recording: — " Ac- 
cording i;o the original institation, every leper was allowed 
half a loaf a day, half a gallon of middling beer, five -pence 
a month for meat, seven^pence for their servants, and every 
year a cloak, a vest, a mantle, two shirts, and all other 
tvoUens. The rules of the hospital were, that if any brother 
was found guilty of adultery, or struck another in anger, he 
was to be expelled. They were t© rise at the first ringing of 
the bell, to go to chtirch. He that gave another the lie, was 
to fast the whole day on bread and water ; if he resented it, 
he was to fast the second day ; and if he was still angry the 
third day, to loose the charity for forty days. No one was to 
go abroad without a companion. If any thing were given to 
one abroad, it was to be in common, unless given particularly 
by kindred or friends. None were to go abroad without leave, 
nor into their laundresses* houses without a companion. 

f Henry II. and a great number of the nobility were pre^ 
sent. It would seem, therefore, that the church was in course 
,©f building nearly forty years. 



HISTORY OF READING* S? 

13. Adam; resi<i^nedl249. 
^^14. Adam II. sacrist of the monastery. 
15. William, sub-prior of Cov^try. 
iS, Richard; died 1261. 
1/. Richard deRadvng". 

18. Robert de Burghare, 1287 

19. William de Sutton, 1305. 

20. Nicholas de Quaplode, 1327.* 

21. John Appleford. 1360. 

22. William de Dombleton, 1368. 

23. John de S-fttton, 1378. 

24. Richard'^e Yt^ely. 

25. Thomas Earle, '1430. 

26. Thomas de Henley, 1445. 

27. John Thorne, 1486.t 

28. John Thome II. 1519. 

29. Thomas de Worcester. 

30. Hugh Faringdon ; in whose time (1539) tke 
abbey was dissolved. He was a man of exetnplary 
character, and highly spoken of by the commissioners 
of suppression; refusing, however, to acknowledge 
the religious supremacy of that execrable monster, 
Henry VIII. he, and two of his monks. Onion and 
Rugg, were hanged antl quartered as traitors, in 
Nov. 1539, just seven months after his resignation of 
the abbacy. The following is given as the " Civil 
List" of the abbot : — 



Per Ann, 


Per At 


m 


s. 


d. 


s. 


d. 


The marshal, or master 




Dean of l^e wardrobe, 8 





of the horse 




Hostler, . . . 1 





The panterer, . .8 





Baker, . . .4 


o 


Dean of the Chambers, 8 





Second and third ditto, 4 


u 


Porter, . , .8 





First smith, . . 13 


4 


The pages, , 




Second ditto, . • 6 





The cook, . 




Keeper x>f the abbot's 




The scullion, . . 1 


2 


palfrey, . • .4 





Dean of the Chambers, 8 





Gardener, . . .4 


a 


Butler, or manciple, • 4 





MiUer, . . .2 





Second and third ditto 4 










* This abbot founded the lady chapel, in'l314c 
t In his time the free -school was founded^ 



'8? IK STORY OF READING. 

Besides these, there were numerous other su"bar- 
dinate officers ; and when the househokl, in the time 
of Quadplode, was put on an economical establish- 
ment, the abbot retained nearly forty servants. The 
revenues, at the dissolution, produced from 24,000/. 
to 28,000/. per annum, according to the present value 
of mone)^ 

The rental of the dissolved abbey, as returned by 
the Commissioners, in 1539, was as follows: — 

A schedule of the late dissolved monastery of Reading, 3 1st of 
Henry VIII. 

£ s, ih 
Cholsey manor and rectory with their apper- 
tenances ..... 

BleAvbury manor with its appertenances - 

East Hendred manor, given by the Empress Maud, 

Burhidebury manor and rectory, 

Thatcham rectory, with Greenham, Midgeham, 
Crookham, and Colethorp, 

Pangbourne manor, . . 

Basyldon manor, "■ . , . 

Shyningfield, or Shiafield, tenements and land, 

Sonning, manor of Bulmershe and lands, 

Weregrave rectory . . . 

Borough of Reading, 

Rent of assise, . . 

Customary rents, » . ' . 

Mills. Two grain mills and fulling mills, call- 
ed St. Giles's mills, with the tythesofthe 
same ; a fishery called Tan-lock ; two other 
mills, and a fulling mill, in St. Mai'y's parish, 
called Mynster- mills, and fishery called Grey's 
lock. c ^ . . . 40 

Reading Deanery. 

Rents in Tilehurst, Whitley, Coley, Grey shall, 
Stratfield, Mortimer, Sulhamstead, Beenliam 
Ufton, battel (farm) 

The farm of Windsor TJnderore. 

The manor of Whitley, 

Agistment of Whitley Park, 

Calcot mill and lands in T}iehurst parish, 

Fishery of the Kennet, 

Rectory of Beenham, 

5lectories of Tilehurst, Coley, and Whitley, . 
Town of Reading. 

Tolls of the fairs, . 

ITolls of the market, 



201 


16 





121 


4 


oj 


38 


14 


9 


50 





H 


101 


6 


6 


24 


8 


4 


6 


5 


5 


9 


6 





7 


6 


8 


30 








21 


12 


5 


92 


18 


4 



130 


9 


1^ 


6 


10 


10$ 


26 


18 


4 


3 








2 


13 


4 





13 


4 


2 


6 


8 


20 








1 


1 


4 





7 






HISTORY OF READIXG 



80 



'Cheaping-gavel, . , . . 

Perquisites of courts, .... 
Bailiwick of the Liberty, 
Perquisites of its courts, 

Sussex. 
Duddlesford manor, .... 

Warwickshire. 
Rowington manor and rectory, 

Wilts. 
Manor of WTiitesbury, 

Kent. 
Manor of Wind^uU, .... 

0x0 n. 
Stanton -Harcourt rectory, 
Lands in Sewell, .... 

London. 

Divers tenements, particularly one called Red- 

yng. place, in the parish of St. Andrew, near 

Ba}Tiard Castle, reserved to the use of the 

abbot, . , . 

Summa, ..... 

HeriS. 
Sebrightford manor, .... 
Aston manor, ..... 

Bedfordshire. 
Houghton manor, .... 

Small rents collected by the bailiff, or out- 
steward, in Tyglehurst and other places, 
Pastures and Meadoics. 
Cowick, ..... 

Estmede, near the road to Caversham 
Three fields called Crown-field, Bm-field, and 

the Grove and lands called Spittlefields, 
An inn in Reading called the Crown, 
Tanner's mead .... 

Meadows in Battel, . . . 

Meadows in Sulhamstead, 
A tenement called the Hind's head, 
Tithes of Mote-hall in Tyglehurst, 
Tithes of West -wood-row, in the same, 
Tithes in Northcot, .... 

Tithes in Whitley, .... 

Tithes of meadow-near Reading called Frogmarsh, 
Tithes of Cowick, .... 

Possessions of the office of Almoner. 
Rents of assize in Reading, 
Customary rents there. 
Manor of Burghfield, . , . 

-Pension from the vicar of St. La^^Tence's in 
Reading, . .- . . . 






12 


li 


2 


17 


2 


1 


2 








9 


10 





12 


9 


73 


10 





21 


19 


8 


38 








30 








6 









5 








12 








6 


2 


oi 


36 


19 


111 


10 


15 


11 


5 


13 


10 


4 


13 


4 


8 








6 


8 


4 


3 


6 


8 


1 


19 





2 


10 





1 








1 


6 


8 


7 








1 


6 


8 


2 


2 








6 


8 





8 





1 


3 


4 


6 


1 





23 


15 


4 


15 









5 



7 

13 


5 

4 


13 8 

7 18 


Hi 



90 HISTORY OF READING. 

Possessions of the office of Cellarer. 
Rents of assize in Reading, 
Castomary rents, .... 

Rents of assize in Sliefiield, Calcot, Wokefleld. 

Caversham, and Cold-Norton, . • 

Customary rents in the same, . 
A sheepcote and laiids in Sewell, andLittle Tew 

in Oxfordshire, . . , . 6 
Pension from the 4t>bot of St. Augustin, in 

Bristol, . . . . . 13 6 8 
Belonging to the office of Sacrist. 

^ Rents of assize in Reading • , . i 7 6 

Customary rents there, . , . 4 16 

Pensions frofii' the following Churches. 

St. Gile's Reading, . . . . 2 

St. Mary's, . . . . . 2 

Sulhamsted rectory, . . , . 2 

Englefield rectory, . . . . 13 4 

Compton vicarage, , . . . 8 

Hamborough rectary, . . , . 1 10 

Sulham rectory, . . - - 4 

Purley rectory, . • . . 2 

'Beenham vicarage, , . . . 10 

Pangbourn rectory, . , . , 1 12 8 

War grave vicarage, . . . . 1 *<) 

Belonging to the Refectory. 

^Rents of assize in Reading, . 9 8 

Customary rents there . , . 10 

Belonging to the office of Suh-prior^ 

Rents of assize, . . . . 3 4 

?In Blewbury, . . . . . 18 

In Sheepbridge, . , , . 13 '0 

A building in the Market-place, . . 13 4 

*Rents of tenants, copy-holders, . • 5 18 

Belonging to the office of Granetary. 

Rents of assize, . '. . . 10 10 

'^Customary rents, . . . . 11 11 4 

Belonging to the offiice of WoGdf older. 

Rents of assize, . . . . 5 

Customary rents, . . . . 13 6 4 

Belonging to the keeper of the chapel of the Virgin Mary. 

Rents of assize, • , . , 16 3$ 

InBurgfield . . . . . 3 

InTilehurst, . . . . . 6 

Customary in Reading, • . . 12 10 8 



From the priory of Leominster, 
Peserved annuities to the monks 
^Pensions to the abbots from rectories 



1391 


10$ 


480 





59 13 


4 


87 12 


1 



Total . £2018 6 3$ 



lilSTORY or RBA-DINC, 9 J 

As mif(lit be supposed, there was no lack of super- 
stitious rareties and reliques in such a splendid 
establishment — the inventory filled four sheets of 
paper; and amongst other curiosities equally pfc- 
nuine, are described, ** the wing of the Angel who 
brought over the point of the spear that pierced 
Jesus Christ" — a vast number of ** pieces of the true 
cross" — and the ** hand of St. James.*" Hovedcn 
rthus describes the latter: ** Rex vero anglormis 
Henricus, prse gaudio mantis bead Jacob'i apostoli, 
allata ad eum per Matildem Emperatricem, filiani 
suam fundavit nobilem Abbatium de Redinges, ct 
earn bonis muitis ditavit, et in ea manum beati Jacobi 
Apostoli posuit." 

The armorial bearings of the abbey are carved on 
the side of the west door of St. Lawrence's church, 
azure, three escaUop shells, or. The common seal 
represented on one side the figure of the Blessed 
Virgin between St. James and St. John ; reverse, 
Henry I. the royal founder, sitting in kingly state, 
the sceptre in his right hand, the monastery in his 
left hand, St. Peter and St. Paul on either side, f 

In the time of Elizabeth, the abbey was the occa- 
sional residence of the " Virgin Queen ;" and in the 
reign of James 1. Camden describes it as ** a royetl 
seat, with fair stables, and princely and most generous 
steeds." The dwellings on the north side of St. Law- 
vcence's church-yard occupy the site of these stables.— 
Speed however places them at the farther end of the 
Saracen's Head yard. 

In the Exchequer Record Office are preserved the 
following papers, relative to the Abbey of Reading:— 

Carta regis Abbati de Radynge de libertatibus. 
Trinitatis Recorda 17 Edward III. Rotulo. 

Carta Abbati de Radynge pro Terris in comitatibiig 
'Berksirse, et Herefordiae, irrotulata, Trinitatis Recor- 
da 20 Edward III. Rotulo. 

* See note p. 73. 

f The Rev. W. Nares' account of the discovery of the sup- 
iposed coffin of Henry 1. will be found in the note appended to 
pp. 10 and lie 



92 HISTORY OF READING. 

Carta regis Abbati de Radynge. Paschse Recorda 20 
Edward III. Rotulo. 

Carta regis Abbati de Radynge in comitatu Berk- 
sirse facta Hillarii Recorda 5 Richard IJ. Rotulo. 
Rem en regis. 

Confirmatio Cartarum de libertatibus Abbati de 
Radynge Comitatu Berksirae conce^sa. IVJieliaelis 
Recorda. 1st Henry V. Rotulo 1 1 

Carta regis de confirmatione libertatum Abbati 
et Conventui de Radynge. Michaeiis Recorda. 1st 
Henry VI. Rotulo 10. 

Carta regis de confirmatione de libertatibus Abbati 
^et Conventui B. MarijB de Radynge facta. Hillarii 
Recorda 8 Henry VI. Rotulo ]. 

Carta regis de confimatione libertatum Abbati de 
Radynge facta. Hillarii Recorda 8 Henry Vlth. 
Rotulo 4 vel. 21. 

Carta regis Abbati de Radynge de libertatibus fac- 
ta. Paschse Recorda 48 Henry VI. Rotulo 7- 

Carta confirmationis privilegiorum Abbatis et 
Conventus de Radynge in Comitatu Berksirag. Hil- 
larii Recorda 3 EdwardVI. Rotuo 10. 

Finis solutus per Abbatum et Conventum de Ra- 
dynge pro confirmatione labertatum. Originalia 2 
Henry VIIL Rotulo 57. 

Carta regis de libertatibus concessa monasterio de 
Radynge Abbati et Monachis per Henricum filium 
regis Vvllhelmi irrotula Michaeiis Recorda 13 Henry 
VIIL Rotulo 23. 

Carta regis de libertatibus Abbati et Conventui de 
Redinge concessa. Paschae Recorda 18 Henry VIII. 
Rotulo 7 et I. pars originalis 34. Henry VIII. Ro- 
tulo 75. 

The Abbey also possessed the patronage of the fol- 
lowing livings, amounting, in number, to twelve, the 
whole of which paid pensions to the Abbot. 

The Vicarage of Buckleberry. 

The Vicarage of Thatcham, with the Chapels of 
Greenham andMidgam. 

The V^icarage of Beenham Valence. 



HISTORY OF READING. ^3i^ 



■■} 



The Vicarage of St. Giles, 

The Vicarage of St. Lawrence, y in Reading. 

The Vicarage of St. Mary, 

The Vicarage of Warfiehl aiias Burfield. 

The \'icarage of Wargrave. 

The Vicarage of Chokey, with the chapel of Mouls- 
ford. 

The Vicarage of Tilehurst, (where the Ahbot was 
appropriator.) 

The Vicarage of Stanton Harcourt, (in Oxfordshire.) 

The Vicarage of Rowington, (in Warwickshire.) 

The patronage of Eye vicarage with its seven chapels 
and of Leominster Vicarage, which paid a Mark yearly 
to the Abbot, was enjoyed by the priory of Leominster, 
in He) efordshire, which was a cell to Reading. 

The Benedictine monks, to which order, it has been 
already observed, this Abbey belonged, derived their 
title from St. Benedict, a native of Nuria, in Italy, 
who was born about the year 480, and who commen- 
ced in his boyhood a life of rigorous devotion and 
retirement, from which he reluctantly withdrew, at 
the solicitations of the monks- of the Monastery of 
Sublaco, to become their Abbot. The severity of his 
rules, however, was not relished by that brotherhood,., 
whom, finding unmanageable, the saint soon deserted 
for his former course of life ; he became the founder 
of a sect which rapidly spread over Europe; a zealous 
iconoclast, in destroying the images as well as the tem- 
ples of Apollo ^ the author of Regula Monachorum, 
according to the infallible authority of Gregory the 
Great, surpassed all other works for the brilliancy of 
its style, and the deepness of its wisdom ; a perfor- 
mer of miracles, and he, finally, died with the exalted 
reputation of having been the Elisha of his period. 
The costume of his order consisted of a loose black 
gown, with large wide sleeves, a scapulary, and a 
capuchin or cowl, on their heads, terminating in a 
point behind ; the gown and cowl were not worn in 
doors, and the under dress w^as composed of a tight 
suit of flannel, with stockings and shoes, or boots, 
covering their legs ; indeed, with the exception of the 



i|4 HISTORY OF READING. 

fcmoralia, and the colour of their costume, the blue- 
t'oat boys arc nearly facvsiniiles of most of the reli^i- 
ous orders. Black was the prevailing colour in the 
habits of the Benedictines, from which, in ihe Canon- 
law they are styled Black Friars. The rules of St. 
Benedict, as observed by the monks of Reading", and^ 
indeed by all Enolish moriks who acknowledged him 
afi their patron, were as follows.* They were obliged 
to perform their devotions seven times in twenty-four 
hours, the whole circle of which devotions referred ta* 
the passion and death of Christ. In Lent, they dared 
not break their fast till just before sunset, and, iiv 
addition to this severe discipline during the same sea- 
son, their period for repose was considerably abridged 5. 
but no one was allowed to practise any further or 
voluntary austerity without a permission from the 
superior : reading the Scriptures was practised at 
meals in place of conversation ; from which corporeal 
and spiritual enjoyment: those who had been guilty of 
small oiFences were excluded ; while greater sinners 

* Mosheim, in his Ecclesiastical History, observes that the 
Latin monks about the commencement of the tenth century,., 
had so entirely lost sight of all subordination and disciplines^ 
tliat the greatest part of them knew not even by name the rule 
of St. Benedict, which they w^ere obliged to observe. A noble 
Frank, whose imrae was Odo, a man as learned and pious as 
tile ignorance and superstition of the times would permit en- 
deavoured to remedy tliis disorder ; nor were his attempts to- 
'£liUy. unsuccessful. This zealous ecclesiastic being created, in 
927, Abbot of Clugni in the province of Burgundy, not only 
Qbiiged the monks to live in rigorous observance of their rules, 
but also added to their discipline a new set of ceremonies,, 
which, notwithstanding the of sanctity that attended them, were, 
in reality, insigniiicant and trifling, and yet, at the same time, 
ssvere and burthenscme, this new rule of discipline covered its 
author with glory, and, in a &hort time was adopted in all the 
JSuropean convents, for the greate&t part of the ancient monas- 
teries, which had been founded in France, Germany, Italy, 
Britain, and &pain, received the rule of the Monks of Clugni, 
tio whicli also the convents, newly established, were subjected 
by their founders ; and thus it was that the order of Clugni at-- 
tained that high degree of eminence and authority, opulence 
and dignity, which it exhibited to the Christian v*'orld in tl.5!; 
■i>U owing century. 



inSTaRY OF READING. O'J 

were debarred from all relii^Ious rite^ diirinfi;- a stated 
period; and incorrio^ible ones were expelled the mo- 
nastery altogether; they lay in the clothes which they 
wore burins: the day (their shirts were woollen, and 
they only had two a year,) all sleeping in the same 
dormitory, but each Monk on his peculiar pallet, tlie|^ 
furniture of which was a mat, a l)lanket, a rug, and a 
||illajv. They were not allowed to hold any private 
property of their own, and all their worldly posses- 
sions, which were furnished them by the Abbot, con- 
sisted of their scanty allotment of clothes, a knife, a 
aeedle, a handkerchief, and a steel pen, with tablets 
to write upon. The ord^r wr,s introduced into Eng- 
laad by St. Augustine, (prior of St. Andrews, at Rome; 
and subsequently Archbishop of Canterbury,) in the 
year 596, and if we may date its dissolution at the 
death of Farringdon, the 30th, and last Abbot of the 
community at Reading, . wliich took place in 1539, its 
existence in this country will be found to have lasted 
943 years. 

We have but a few more words to add concerning 
the present appearance of the ruins of this once ma- 
jiestic structure,— to deny that they possess a certain 
beauty, would be idle; to claim intrinsic beauty for^ 
them, would be equally absurd; the former arises 
from the associations connected with the building^^ 
and the claims to notice which it derives from its an- 
tiquity ; a stranger will rarely turn from it disap- 
pointed ; while, if he be a fevser of the picturesque,, 
though he may find little in its present architectural; 
details offering subjects for his pencil, the lovelyf 
scenery around, to which it: once lent additional-: 
beauty, will well and amply repay him. It is scarcely 
possible to assert now, that the original building was 
characterised by unity of style, though like most 
English ecclesiastical edifices, and unlike those of 
Scotland, such, from its remains, appears, but with 
trifling exceptions, to have been the case. Dr. Ma* 
culloch explains this difference in the religious a-chi- 
tecture of the two countries, by observing, that in 
England the particular erections of our edifices coin-- 



90 HISTORY OF READING. 

eided in period with the introduction of each new styFcj, 
of which they were the examples, and that as the style 
became obsolete, the fashion itself ceased : while in 
Scotland, where the dates of the erections were gene- 
rally far later than the first and second , and often 
even posterior to the subsequent style, the architects,, 
from ionorance or inattention, used indiscriminately 
whatever they had seen. The ruins of Readinor Abbey 
do not exhibit any violent amali>-amations of the Nor- 
man and the three Gothics; its immense masses of 
wall denote its original strength ; a great portion of 
the building was taken away and employed in the con- 
struction of the churches of St. Mary, and St. Law- 
rence ; a hospital, kitchen, and pastry-room for the 
poor Knights of Windsor, ^vere built entirely from 
materials which the ruins afforded ; and they were 
further despoiled by the late General Conway, who, 
while building the celebrated bridge on the highroad 
between Wargrave and Henley, made use of the ruins 
as a quarry, from the resources of which he raised his 
singular and well-known structure. But the cause of 
its present state of dilapidation is chiefly assigned to 
the contending parties, in the civil wars, when not 
only the outer walls were destroyed by the artillery, 
and other parts were undermined, or blown up, on its 
vacuation by the King's troops in 1644, but many of 
its florid ornaments defaced in mere wantonness : the 
reformers too, in their anxious search for the silver 
coffin of the founder, had previously lent no slothful 
aid in the work of demolition ; the tradition that Henry 
was so buried '* was probably one of the notions that 
prompted them, after having demolished the super- 
structure, to violate the repose of the grave, and to 
scatter abroad the ashes of the once mighty Monarch." 
The remains of the great hall or chapter house can 
only be viewed from the exterior; the inside being 
occupied by the erection of the National School. This 
beautiful room was eighty feet long, and forty feet 
wide, with three large entrance doors from the cloister 
each surmounted by a window ; and five large windows- 
decorated the East end, the rjof was an arched cieling. 



IhMTORY OF REitDING* §7y 

*prini(in^ from eight pilasters in the side walls, each, 
twenty feet high, the height of the room from the 
flooring to the centre of the cieling was about forty 
feet; the walls were six Let thick above the founda- 
t/on ; below which they were 12 feet thick, to the 
depth of 7 feet. Two councils were held in this room, 
the first in the reign of King John, summoned by the 
Pope's legate: the second, in that of Edward 1st, by 
Archbishop Peckham. The parliament which was 
assembled at Reading, in the thirty-first year of King" 
Henry the Sixth, is supposed to have been held in the 
Refectory, of which, of the church, and of some pas- 
sages, the stranger will yet find a few remains. For 
an, account of the coffin preserved in the school-house 
we refer our readers to page 10. 

Of the diet of the Monks we have no certain ac- 
count; ]Mr. Man cites a corrody granted from the. 
Abbot to John Mawne, allowing him from the manor 
of Leominster, the same fare as the brethren, which 
from the mention of flesh, fish, ale, loaves, fuel, and a 
horse, ** to be kept with hay only,*' appears to have 
been pretty ample ; as a fui'ther proof that their diet 
was not a very spare one, we shall beg leave to close 
our notice of the Abbey, with the following anecdote 
from Fuller's Church History. *' As King Henry the 
eighth was hunting in Windsor Forest, he either casu- 
ally lost, or more probably wilfully losing himself, 
he struck down, about dinner time, to the Abbey of 
ReadiniT, where disguising himself, (much, for delight, 
more, for discovery unseen), he was invited to the 
Abbot's table, and passed for one of the King's guard, 
a place to which the proportion of his person might 
properly entitle h^m. A sirloin of beef was set before 
liim (so knighted, saith tradition, by this Henry), on 
which the King laid on lustily, not disgracing one of 
that place for whom he was mistaken. ' Well fare 
thy heart!' quoth the Abbot, * and here in a cup of 
sack I remember the health of his grace, your mas- 
ter. I would give one hundred pounds, on the condi- 
tion 1 could feed so lustily on beef, as you do, Alas ! 
my weak and squeezie stomach will hardly digest the, 
wing of a small rabbit or chicken.' The King ple^* 

H 



98 HISTORY OF R RAPING. 

santly pledged him, and heartily thanked him for hi* 
good cheer; after vvhi'jh he departed as undiscovered 
as he came thither. Some weeks after, the abbot vvas 
sent for by a pursuivant, brought up to London, clapt 
in the tower, kept close prisoner, and fed for a short 
time with bread and water; yet not so empty his body 
of food, as his mind was filled with fears, creating 
many suspicions to himself, when and how he had in- 
curred the King's displeasure. At last a sirloin of 
beef was set before him, on which the abbot fed as the 
farmer of his grange, and verified the proverb, that 
haa hung'ry meah make the third a glutton. In springs 
King Henry, out of a private lobby, where he had 
placed himself the invisible spectator of the Abbot's 
behaviour, * My Lord!' quoth the King, * presently 
deposit your hundred pounds in gold, or else no going 
hence all the daies of your life. I have been your 
physician to cure you of your squeezie stomach, and 
here, as I deserve, I demand my fee for the same/ 
The abbot down with his dust, and, glad he had es- 
caped so, returned to Reading, as somewhat lighter 
in purse, so much more merry in heart, than when 
he came thence.'' 

THE FORBURY 

Was the outer court of the Abbey, from the ruins of 
which it is now separated, and presents some remains 
of Aston's occupation of it during the civil wars. The 
origin of the name has been disputed, but it is ob- 
viously derived from Forh Burgi ; Fmiboitrg', or sub« 
urb, in confirmation of which, it was always considered 
as being out of the jurisdiction of the magistrates of 
the town. Coates say£, ** the name might have been 
Spelt anciently Fore-berie, the word Berie signifying 
any wide open place: in which sense it is found in tbe 
corporation diary.'* Hearne in his glossary, is still 
farther from the truth ; he describes ** the significa- 
tion of Forbery being nothing but Forbisher's, or 
Furbisher's Row, or the place where the arms were 
furbished, and those that did it, dwell.'* But though 
it Wfts customary to name streets from the trades 



ttlSTORV or KKAT)t\a, 99 

carried on in them» such as Silver Street, wliich wftt 
formerly Sievyers (or sieve makers') street, this could 
not apply to the Forburv which was always extra villam. 
Stow says that Edward III., after keeping Christmas at 
Guildford, had a great justing at Reading, and Coateg 
suijgests thereupon, that this was probably the place 
where tournaments were sometimes held. In the sur- 
vey, made by order of parliament in 1650, it is spoken 
of as a court walled round ** boi:nded with the isfreat 
Flummery north, the Grange east, and the great gar- 
den and scite south, and butting upon the town of 
Reading west, which town doth yearly keep four 
fairs, and doth now lie common, and through which 
there are several ways as passages, into and ou'j of 
King's Mead, into the great barn, stable, and lodging 
there, and other w^ays, which said court contains b/ 
admeasurement, seven acres and twenty perches, which 
we value, for the reasons aforesaid, to be worth, per 
anmtm, but twenty shillings." Since the disfolution 
of the Abbey, the Forbury has been considered by the 
inhabitants, as common ; for though the crown lets 
the abbey lands, and this among the rest, to individuals 
who consider it freehold, the town has, nevertheless, 
a prescriptive right to hold fairs in it, and to make 
use of it as a place of amusement and exercise. Several 
attempts have been made to deprive the inhabitants 
of the common right, and to confine it to merely dur- 
ing the continuance of the fairs, but they have, at 
such times, displayed a very praiseworthy spirit, that 
has hitherto deservedly succeeded in resisting such 
attempts. 

The Literary Institution occupies a private house at 
the entiance of the Forbury; it possesses a reading 
room, a residence for the lijjrarian, and the usual ad- 
vantages attending similar societies. The original 
shares were subscribed for, at ^^30 each, but a fresh 
call was afterwards made, and the Institution is now 
said to be in a flourishing state. There is a rule follow- 
ed by most of the reading societies in Ireland which 
we should do well to imitate here ; in that country all 
officers on duty in the town, or temporarily sojourn* 
ing in it during a march, are considered fre« and 

u 2 
[LcfO. 



1^0 HISTORY OF READING. 

fvclcome visitors at the library, a courtesy which has 
always been c^ratefally acknowledged, and not infre- 
quently attended with conaldetable advantage to the 
town.^i;^ 

THE FRANCISCAN FRIARY. 

It will be unnecessary for us to remind our intelli- 
gent readers, that ** monk" and ** friar/' are words of 
very different siii^nification ^ tJie former which indeed,!^ 
is only properly applied to the Benedictines, anciently 
denoted a person who withdrew himself from society, 
to live in solitude and abstinence, and who devoted 
himself entirely to God either by contemplation or 
prayer. Friars (Frere^, or Brothers) is a term that 
became common to the monks of all orders, when the 
solitaries congregated together, and, residing in the 
same house, under the same superiors, received the 
appellation of v(rnoMtes^Xo distinguish them alike from 
the hermits, who had at lea«t a fixed domicile, and the 
vagabond sarabaites who strolled about regardless of 
rules, and unpossessed of homes. In another sense 
the word friary was applied to monks who were not 
ordained to the priesthood, those who were clericated 
being usually dignified with the appellation oifaiher; 
but in the course of ecclesiastical history we soon dis- 
cover that the members of the begging orders alojie 
retained the name that distinguished them as a frater- 
nity ; one of these brotherdoods settled in Reading 
about the middle of the thirteenth century, of whose 
forms and concerning the nature of whose rules, we 
shall briefly speak, before we more fully notice their 
residence in this town. 

The establishment of Mendicants or begging friars 
occurred in the early part of that century in which they 
appeared, for the first time, in England, during the 
leign of Henry III.; and in purity of manners, extent of 
fame, number of privileges and multitude of members, 
Ihey very soon surpassed all other religious societies. 
They were most useful men, at a period, when the 
ftate and circumatances of their church rendered the 
ftstabliihmcnt of «uch an order absolutely neccBsarr. 



HISTOKY or URATflKG* ^W 

Tlie inmates of the richly endowed monasteries, itccp- 
cd in luxury and laziness, and fraudulently applying to 
the use of their brutalized appetites the wealth which 
had been bequeathed by the terrors of the pioMS, for 
the benefit of their own souls, had lost si^Rllof all 
their religious obligations ; indolent, — they suffered 
the grossest heresies to be preached, unrefuted ; igno- 
rant, — they rarely possessed learning enough to answer 
the commonest enquiries upon the most trifling sub- 
jects of litertiture ; rebellious to superiors, abandoned 
to the worst vices, and remorseless to the basest crimes, 
they felt no anxiety for the religion that had been en- 
trusted to their unworthy stewardship, and no desire 
beyond the wish of being left undisturbed in all the 
wicked enjoyments their ill-gotten opulence could 
purchase. To oppose such sleepy sentinels as those, 
up rose a race of men, vowed to poverty, indefatigable, 
and enthusiastic; their virtue such as it was, rendered 
the licentiousness of the monks more apparent hy the 
contrast, and the more offensive to society as it became 
mure remarked ; they preached against the wealth, 
the vices, and the corruptions of the clergy, maintain- 
ed that voluntary poverty w^as the only pure charac- 
teristic of a christian, and, hy their eloquence, and 
energy, and practise, gained an ahr.ost sovereign in- 
fluence over the always weak minds, of the always 
weak (because ignofant) multitude. Innocent III. was 
the first of the popes who perceived the immense ad- 
vantage of introdnciniJf such an order into the church ; 
" a set of men/' says Mosheim, ** who by the austerity 
of their manners, their contempt of riches, and the 
external gravity and sanctity of their conduct and 
maxims, might resemble those doctors who had gained 
such reputation to the heretical sects, and who might 
rise so far above the allurements of worldly profit 
and pleasure, as not to be seduced by the promises or 
threats of kings and princes, from the performance 
of the duties which they owed to the church, or from 
persevering in their subordination to the Roman 
IVntifTs.'^ 

Under the fostering influence af the vice-gerenti 
of Heaven, the IVIendicant order« arose' in such num* 



102 KISrOHY OK READING. 

bcrs, and Dever-eiiding variety, that llieir multitude 
began to be oppressive to the people, burihensome to 
the church, and matter of serious consideration with 
the Roman Apostolic Council as to the means of re- 
ducing them, by suppressini;' the least useful, and by 
consolidating the remains into four great communi- 
ties. This desirable consummation was effected under 
Gregory X., by the council of Lyons, in 1272, and the 
*' extravagant number of mendicants,'' were confined 
to the members of the four following societies, the 
Dominicans, Carmelites, Hermits of St. Augustin, and 
the Franciscans or Grey Friars. All these fraternities, 
by their talents and sanctity, acquired an extended 
reputation, and a boundless esteem, and veneration ; 
the instruction of youth (the most difficult and delicate 
of tasks) was entrusted to them ; their churches were 
crowded by the pious, who would receive the blessed 
emblems of salvation from no hands but those of a 
mendicant friar, and the crowded condition of their 
cemeteries testified the anxiety which had been felt 
by the dying to have their last resting place in the 
earth that had been consecrated by the holiest of beg- 
gars. Of these, however, our attention must be neces- 
sarily confined to the Franciscans alone, whose order 
(superior to all the rest except, perhaps, that of the 
Dominicans, which did not surpass it) had a religious 
house in this town, in the custody or wardenship of 
Oxford ; at the dissolution of the monasteries, the 
conventual Franciscans had about 55 houses in Eng- 
land, which were under seven custodies ; viz. those of 
London, York Cambridge, Bristol, Oxford, Newcastle, 
and Worcester. 

Francis of Assisi, a province of Umbria, in Italy, the 
founder of this celebrated order, was the son of a 
merchant; and he enjoys the reputation of havinir 
heen one of the most debauched and dissolute youths^ 
of the still dissolute race that inhabit the sunny side 
of the Alps. The extravagant licentiousness of his con- 
duct soon affected his health, and worked, as is usual, a 
sure and weary retribution, by prostrating his strength^ 
and bringing him to the very verge of the grave. The 
result ef his sickness wa-^ lu« transformation from a 



HISTORY OP READIN* fT)3 

roue to a fanatic; at least, his enthusiasm has been 
described as an extravagant kind of devotion that 
looked less like religion than alienation of mind. In 
the year 1208, in the course of his attendance on pub- 
lic worship, he was forcibly struck on hearing repeated 
the address of Christ to his apostles from the 1 0th chap- 
ter of St. Matthew; of which, the 9th and 10th verses 
appear to have made the deepest impression on his 
naturally warm imao^ination. ** Provide neither ^old, 
nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your 
journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves^ 
for tlie workman is u'orthy of his meat." A deep re- 
flection upon this passai^e convinced him that absolute 
and voluntary poverty was one of the most important 
articles that could be prescribed to those who were 
willing to devote their lives to the task of ac<|uirin^ 
the favour of God ; and the neophyte^ accordingly 
both practised it hiin-self, and taught the same to the 
little band who suff^'red themselves to be styled his 
followers. — In this young society Innocent III.* fancied 
he saw the foundation of a renewed course of prospe- 
rity and holiness to a church, still indeed prosperous, 
if wealth is to be understood as its sign, but which 
was sunk to nearly the lowest level of degrading vice 
and ignorance ; the favour manifested towards it by 
this pontiff, was confirmed and enlarged by Honorius 
III., (in 1223) whose patronage elevated the order to a 
very high degree of fame, though it disowned noto- 
riety, and of power, though it shunned wealth, which 
alone can purchase it. Three years after this the 
founder of the Franciscans died ; but, in witnessing 
the reputation and magnitude of the society to which 
he was the father, not without accomplishing the 
proud object of the latter period of his life; in his 
excessive humility he forbade his followers assuming 
the appellulion (^ifratres, (brethren or friars;) but he 
bequeathed to them, a beggar^s legacy, his prayers 

* The fourth Lateran Council established the doctrine of 
transubstantiation, during the sway of this pontiif . The Inqui- 
sition, and the degradation of a distinguishing costume imposed 
upon the Jews, are also among the memorabilia of the dominioa 
of this meek ^err«*»5erw)r«m. 



M 



MU'TORY OF READING. 



aiM the name by which they are still distinffuishcft, 
fraterculi, (friars minor, or little brethren) a term 
often applied to them in reproach or derision, but one 
which they the more courted for those very reasons, 
5n the spirit of the humility which they professed 
€ordeliers, fjom the rope of St. Francis which girded 
their loins ; and Gret/ Friars, from the colour of their 
crownB, are also terms by which they are frequently 
distinguished. The favour which had been extended 
towards them by the supreme power in the metropolis 
Qf the Christian world, was repaid by the zealous and 
active gratitude which they unchangingly manifested 
in the support, and exemplary veneration which they 
paid to the popedom ; and for which they in return, 
were loaded with honors, privileges, and indulgences; 
we find them in the enjoyment of the first, as ambas- 
sadors from the Father of the Church, and advisers, 
anxiously listened to and obeyed, in the councils of 
royalty; their privileges consisted in the permission 
to preach, hear confessions, and pronounce absolu- 
tion, without seeking either the license or sanction 
of the bishops — an employment which rendered them 
at once wealthy and odious; but the chief source of 
their fiches arose from the sale of indulgences, a 
lucrative employment, granted them as an indemni- 
fication for their sacrifice of fixed revenues ; in pro- 
cess of time it naturally followed that the Francis- 
cans, whose principle obligation was absolute poverty 
became possessed of immense possessions and reven- 
ues in common, from which e?ichfratercult(s drew the 
means which he deemed requisite for his own subsis- 
tance; many of them who had sworn to poverty when 
they were ignorant of a way to grow rich, thought 
that since greatness had been forced upon them, they 
might safely dispense with the distinguishing and now, 
seemingly oppressive injunction of iheir founder ; they 
were well aided by Gregory IX, who in spite of Guelphs 
and Ghibellines, and his wars with Conrade, found 
time to publish an interpretation of the rule of St. 
.Trancis which mitigated it of a considerable share of 
its excessive rigour. But there were yet conscientiou* 
cordaliers who loudly exclaimed against the new order 



n I STORY OF RKADING. 



105 



tff tliiui^s, and under the denomination of Spirituals, 
declared that there was no happiness upon earth but 
in gloom and melaneholy, and the only orthodoxy— -no 
money. Innocent IV, to whom the tetes eccaltdes, for 
both sides consisted of equally fierce disputants, refer- 
red the subject of their differences, decided in favour 
of the anti-severists ; enactincr by a decree that the 
Franciscan friars should be permitted to possess lands 
houses, chattels, books, &c. but addin^-, with some- 
^v})at of the spirit of the lawyer in the fable of the two 
litic^ators, that the property of all these thing's should 
reside in St. Peter; that is to say, in himself, as the 
Apostle's heir and successor. This edict which was by 
no means calculated to satisfy the reformers, render- 
ed the Spirituals outrageous, but these mal-contents, 
an appellation which of course fell to them as being 
the weaker party, were summarily disposed of by ba- 
nishment, or more graciously forced into a voluntary 
retirement. 

In 1247, John of Parma, being chosen general of 
the order, recalled the exiles, and made the old rule 
t)f St. Francis the absolute law of the society, but the 
inoneyists accused him as a rebellious heretic at the 
tribunal of Alexander IV., in consequence of which he 
was deprived of his post, and his monks thrown into 
prison, a fate which he himself, escaped with great 
difficulty. His successor, the leafaed and mild Bona- 
ventura, endeavoured to recenciie both parties, but his 
endeavours were not attended with good fortune; a 
renewal of the decree, allowing the possession of pro- 
perty, was obtained, though, in a transient hour of suc- 
cess, the adherents of John of Parma subsequently ab- 
rogated and annulled the explication of Innocent, es- 
pecially in those points Ivherein it differred from that 
which had been formerly given by Gregory IX. Various 
were the degrees of fortune which attended the dissen- 
tiants during the reigns of succeeding popes, and the 
government of succeeding generals. Nicliolas III. fa- 
voured the austere side, and published a constitution 
prescribing the original rule and duty of severe pover- 
ty ; but allowing them the possession of houses, books, 
^nd similar conveniences. The Spirituals, howcrerj 



106 HISTORY OF READING. 

and the French Franciscans, with their leader the ce- 
lebrated Petrus de Seiignam, (Pierre Jean d' Olive of 
Serignam, in Languedoe) received this constitution 
with discontent; they continued to write and preach 
in favour of the original rule, and a tumultuous war 
of opinions ensued till the year 1287, the period of 
Matthew of Aqua Sparta, who was elected general of 
stlie or<fer and who made the *' confusion worse con- 
founded." 

The new leader neglected altogether the ancient rules 
and institutions of the society neither requiring his 
monks to profess poverty nor to practice it; such a 
latitude of opinion offended the moderate men of his 
own party, and the whole order split into a greater 
number of divisions than before; and dissensions and 
schisms continued for many yeais in a community 
that had been celebrated for its pretended disinterest- 
edness and humility; the violent Spirituals maintained 
that the founder of their order was a second Christ, 
in all respects similar to the first, and that neither had 
common or personal properly in any thing they pos- 
sessed ; these were opposed by the brethren of the com- 
^mnnitjjfdi term applied to those who were of opinion 
that the ancient severity of their institutions might be 
changed, though they loudly exclaimed against any 
>power on earth having a right to alter their costumes. 
The disorders occasioned by the tumultuous collisions 
>of these two parties could not for some time be quell- 
^ed; fhey defied alike the mild inteference of Clement 
'V., and the violent mediation of John XXII.; — from 
the year 1329, the rage of the disputants began gradu- 
-ally to subside, and thirty-nine years subsequently, 
*they divided into the two large bodies which at present 
•exist, the conventual brethren, and the brethren of the 
observance ; they immediatly separated and settled in 
various countries of Europe, the general opinion is, 
that they visited England as early as 1224, though 
there is no authentic account of them till the reign of 
Henry VII., but as it was probably about the period of 
the great division that they flocked here in the most 
^considerable numbers, it is at this point our notice 
of them in general must necessarily cease, in order 



mSTORy OF READINC.\ J 07 

lo observe the particular foundation which they Jiad 
in this town. 

The establishment of the order of Franciscans, or 
Grey Friars, is shid to have taken place at Pieadin^s 
A.D. 1233, by permission of Gresfory IX. Adam de 
Lolhbury, the abbot of the Benedictine Monastery, 
<rrauted them a piece of waste ground in the Cover- 
sham road, thirty-three perches in length; and twenty- 
three in breadth. On this ground they were allowed 
to build a place of residence, and continue there 
under certain restrictions ; viz. that they were never 
to ask alms, acquire property, nor solicit donations, 
(though they were permitted to receive voluntary gifts 
that did not exceed their necessities), and they were 
also bound neither to erect dwellings on any other part 
of the Monastery possessions, nor loseek to extend the 
limits of what had been already granted them. The 
friars, on their part agreed that an infringement of any 
of these rules should subject tliem to expulsion with- 
out the power of appeal ; while, to defend themselves 
against the possible occurence of the oppressive caprice 
of the monks, they introduced a clause in the deed of 
settlement, wherein it was enacted that, ** if the friars 
should be expelled by the monks of Reading Abbey, 
for any other cause than those above mentioned, tliey 
should be re-instated by the King's authority, and en- 
joy in their ow^n right, what had been granted them 
by the Abbey. If the friars should voluntarily relin- 
quish their habitation, the buildings and site of the 
edifice should belong to the Abbey." 

Fifty-two years subsequent to the date of the above 
grant, a new permission of settlement was made out, 
on the frequent representation of the brotherhood 
that their original residence was in an unhealthy situ- 
ation, from the marshy nature of the ground on which 
it was erected; and that it was, moreover, exposed to 
floods, at which period they were obliged to quit the 
place, or to remain there in great danger; and that in 
winter, the distance from the town made it very in- 
convenient for them to procure necessaries. 

The present ruins in Triar-street point out the site 
of their new location. Mr. Coates says they received 



T08 HI8T0RY OF RIEADING. 

" a certain area or piece of jojound containing' 16 
perches in breadth, and 16 and a half in lenijth, situ- 
ated between the house of Stephen the priest, at that 
time rector of the church of Sulham, towards the east 
on the one part, and a t^ravel pit towards the west on 
the other part, and extendins;- from the street called 
New street to the end of the area which was already 
occupied by the friars/' The conditions are the same aa 
on the former grant, except the addition of a clause re- 
straining them from interringintheircemetery,church, 
or any other place, the bodies of the parishioners of 
the Monastery, or of any of the churches belonging 
to the Abbey, in the town of Reading or elsewhere, with- 
out special license. Their new situation was a little 
soutliward of their former one, and its superior advan- 
tage consisted in its being on more elevated ground; 
its extent was encreased by the legacy of Robert Fulco, 
who bequeathed to the brotherhood part of the ground 
now occupied by Friar street; and Lacy, Earl of Lin- 
coln, under the sanction of Edward I. contributed to 
wards the buildings, fifty-six oaks from Asherigge, 
(Ashbridge, in Berks), a part of his estate stitiiated 
within the limits of Windsor Forest. The work, how- 
ever, appears to have been a considerable time in pro- 
cess of completion. When that period arrived, it is said, 
but not with certainty, to have heen dedicated to St. 
James; it is supposed not to have had any endowment* 
of lands, and that the friars, of whose number we have 
no account, subsisted wholly upon alms. Judging 
from the small extent of ground it occupied, and its 
appearance in Speed^^tnap of the town, Mr. Man pro- 
nounces the building to'have heen neither roomy nor 
elegant ; its remains, however, might warrant a diffe- 
rent conclusion; the western window is a very beau- 
tiful specimen of the florid gothic, and" an assurance 
in itself that the rest of the building was of corres- 
ponding elegance. Of the nave, side aisles, and chan- 
cel, of which the original structure consisted, the latter 
has long been destroyed, but the former remain, in 
nearly their original state; a line of six clustered stone 
columns supporting five lancet-pointed arches, ex- 
tending on both sides, the whole length of the nave. 



KISTORY OF READING, I09t 

divide the aisles from the body of the church; the 
spaces between the pillars are each fourteen feet four 
inches, except the two at the east end, which are only 
eleven feet apart, and equal to the width of the south 
transept. On the w^all, (on each side of the arch which 
led into the choir), which had been whitewashed over, 
some remains of paintino" have been traced, but too 
much defaced to enable the subject to be understood. 
An arched doorway, with circular mouldings, formed 
the entrance from the street; and an oppsite door Jed 
to the cemetery and convent. The walls were com- 
posed of a solid mass of flint and mortar, supported 
accor(Jin£^ to Mr. Man, by a *' heavy tiled roof, reaching* 
nearly to the ground ;" the sub-roof was of lath and 
plaster, and the whole was remaining in 1786, but 
was afterwards removed, to render the building more 
ealubrious when converted to its present purpose of a 
place of confinement. 

At the general dissolution of religious houses, this,, 
of course, met with no happier visitation than that 
whichswept away so many other richer, and probably 
less influential communities. The act of surrender, 
which we make no apology for quoting entire, shows 
how very well the poor Franciscans could make a 
virtue of necessity; the mention however of *^ jewels, 
tythes, and commodities,'' proves them to have been 
above the abject poverty to which they were bound by 
their vow; but the act, nevertheless, has in it a vein 
of pathos that cannot fail to acquire the sympathy 
of all who can understand the state of desolation to 
whieh these men were reduced. 

Act of Surrender of the House of Grey Friars, at Reading. 

** Forasmuch as T^-e do now consider, as -well by daily expe- 
rience, as by example and doctrine of divers well -learned per- 
sons, which have heretofore professed divers sorts of pretended 
religions, that the very true way to perfection and to please 
Grod, is ministerad unto us sincerely and siifficiently, by the 
most wholesome doctrine of Christ, his apostles, and evange- 
lists, and after declarod by the holy fathers in the primitive 
church of Christ, and doth not consist in the traditions and in- 
ventions of man's wit, in wearing of a grey, black, white, or 
any other coloured garment, cloak, frock, or coat, in girding 
ourselve* upon our outward garments, with girdles full of knots ^ 



110 HISTORY OF READING. 

or in like yeculiar manner of papistical ceremonies, sequestf ingf 
ourselves from the imiform, laudable, and conformable manner 
of living of all other christian men, used many years from the 
beginning of Christ's religion. Perceiving also, that as well 
the high estates of this realm, as the common people do note in 
us, and daily doth lay unto our charges, the detestable crime of 
hypocrisy, dissimulation, and superstition, -which draweth their 
benevolence, and supportation from us, whereby we have been 
in times past in manner only sustained ; We, therefore, the 
guardian and convent of the house, called commonly Grey 
Friars of Reading, considering that we may be the true servants 
of God, as well in a secular habit, as in a friar's coat ; and 
knowing and well considering the miserable state we stand in, 
being fully determined in ourselves to leave all such papistical 
and strange fashions of living, with the garments appertaining 
unto the same, with all our mutual, and free assents and con- 
sents, do most humbly in this behalf, submit ourselves and every 
one of us, our house and place we dwell in, and all our buildings, 
ornaments, utensils, jewels, tythes, commodities, and all our 
tilings, whatsoever they be, pertaining unto the same, and by 
these presents do s\UTender the same, and yeild them up into 
the hands and disposition of our most noble sovereign lord, the 
King's Majesty, most humbly beseeching the same, freely and 
without any charge, in consideration of our extreme poverties, 
to grant unto every one of us, his letters under writing and his 
grace's seal, to change our said habits, and to take such man- 
ner of living, as honest secular priests be preferred unto. And 
we all shall faithfully pray unto Almighty God, long to preserve 
his most noble grace. In witness of the premises, and every 
part of the same, we have subscribed our names unto these pre- 
sents, and have put our common and conventual seal unto the 
same, the 13th day of the month of September, and in the 30th 
year of the reign of our sovereign lord, Henry the VIII." 
(Signed) Peter Schefford, Guardian, and S.T.B, 
And Ten others. 

After this act, some of the aged brethren applied, 
through Pollard, one of the commissioners, to be per- 
mitted to enjoy during their lives, their chambers and 
orchard^ adding that their advanced years and infir- 
mities precluded them from all chance of obtaining a 
subsistance elsewhere. The application, however was 
unsuccessful; the church and dormitory were defaced^ 
and the friars, each bearing a sum of money, and a 
discharge of his debts, were ejected from their homes, 
in secular apparel. The old inhabitants were no soon- 
er expelled than the poorer classes of the town des- 
poikd the building of every thing that was moveabU; 



HISTORY OF READIXG. Ill 

they even carried off the clappers of the bclh ; and, 
when, with the additional assistance of the commis- 
sioners, all the sacred appearance of the place was 
effaced, the body of the house was granted for a toJvn 
hall, on the representation of Dr. London, that the 
old huildinc; which was appropriated to that purpose 
was very inconvenient from its situation upon a part 
of the river which was the common washing" place of 
the town, and that the noise from the battledores (as 
they are now commonly employed upon the Continent) 
used in beatinsf the linen, was so i^reat as to interrupt 
the judicial proceedings carried on within. It was 
subsequently, at least a part of it, converted into a 
hospital or workhouse for the reception of children 
and old persons, and supported by charitable contri- 
butions, and the proceeds arising from the labour of 
the inmates; its next and final change was, in 1613, 
to a house of correction, for which, as far as regards 
offences committed in the town, it is still employed,, 
the aisles being converted into cells for the prisoners,, 
and the roof over the nave, as before mentioned,, 
having been taken down, to render it more airy. 

THE GREY FRIARS in CASTLE STREET. 

Mr. Man supposes this convent, from its forming a? 
part of the sa^me community as that in Friar Street, ta^ 
liave been probably a chapel to the latter; according 
to Tanner it was erected in the fourteenth century,, 
and Leland describes it ** a late fayre house of grey 
freres in Castle-Strate.^^ It is said that the extent oF 
ground allotted for the purpose did not exceed a quar- 
ter of an acre, on which a residence for the friars and* 
a small chapel were erected ; the present chapel in 
Castle street stands upon its site. When it devolved 
to the crown, it fell either by gift or purchase^ into 
the hands of the magistrates of the county, who con- 
verted it into a prison for debtors, and such criminals 
as were amenable to their jurisdiction. In 1798, it 
was taken down, and several human skeletons were 
discovered, (while the foundation was being construct- 
ed for the present building) which were supposed to 
hare been »ome of the mortal remains of the old reli- 



112 HISTORY OF READI^^Gv 

fifious inhabitants; but as executed criminals were in-, 
terred here durinof the time the prison stood, it is not 
impossible but tliat they may have been the bones of, 
some of the latter. It was af4;er this the custom to, 
bury criminals in the north west corner of St. Mary's 
Church-yard, *' in like manner as tliey are now buried 
within the bounds of the present new jail.'* The- 
Taults which were discovered under the altar, and in 
the body of the chapel (a small unornamented edifice,^ 
thirty feet and a half by twelve and a half) were found, 
on removing the rubbish, to be quite untenanted. 

ST. EDMOND'S CHAPEL 

Was founded in 1204, by Lawrence Burgess, bailiff 
of Reading, by permission of Abbot Halias, on condi- 
tion of giving an endowment for its support. Jt was 
erected at the west end of Friar-street, called Chapel 
Hill, on a triangular piece of ground, formed by the 
hill and the road leading to Caversham, of about half 
an acre in extent. " This chapel was desecrated in 
the time of Abbot Thorn, as appears by a memorial 
presented against him in 1479, to King Edward IV. for. 
various instdnces of misconduct. The memorial states, 
that this chapel, wherein were laid the bones of many 
christians, was then become a barn.*' On becoming 
the property of the crown, it was annexed to the 
royal manor, at Battel; in the reign of Charles L 
the chapel was converted into a fort, called Har- 
rison's Barn. This, with tlie hermitage which Bur- 
gess built, and in which he died, has long since been 
demolished. 

CELEBRATED PERSONS OF THE RELIGIOUS 
ORDERS ESTABLISHED AT READING. 

William of Reading, a learned Benedictine, em- 
ployed by King Henry II. in many embassies, and 
promoted by him to the Archbishopric of Bordeaux, 
where he died, in the reign of Richard I. 

Robert of Reading, a Benedictine, who travelled 
through Spain, for the purpose of acquiring mathe- 
matical knowledge; during his journey he translated^ 
the Koran from Arabic into Latin, A.D. 1143. 



HtSTORY OF RBADINO. 115 

William Boteler, celebrated as the most eminent 
Franciscan of his time, in England. He retired to 
this town, at an advanced age, and died here in 1410. 
His works are •* Determinatio," against translating 
the scriptures into English. A MS. in the library of 
Merton College, " Lecturee super Magistrum Senten- 
tiarum," Lib. IV. " De indulgentiis pontificum." 
** Questiones variae." 

John Latterbury, a member of the Franciscan friary 
at Reading, and doctor in divinity; a degree which 
he acquired at Oxford, where he studied: he was ce- 
lebrated for his literary attainments, his excellence in 
theology, and for his great candour. His works are 
a ** Commentary upon Jeremiah,*' printed in 1482, 
and much esteemed. '* Distinctiones Theologiae." 
*' Lectiones Scripturarum.*' •* Condones variae.'* 
** Lecturae morales." '* De Luxuria Clericorum." 
"Loci communes." And the following, which he be- 
queathed to the Friary : — " Explanatio Psalmorum." 
" Alphabetum Morale." " Super Acta Apostoloruin." 
and *' Commentarius in Hieremiam Prophetam." 



114 HISTORY OF READING. 

ST. MARY'S PARISH AND CHURCH. 

"The parish of St. Mary is generally supposed to 
be included in that part of the borough which was 
first built upon, and therefore is considered the most 
ancient of the three parishes of which the town is at 
present composed.'* 

** It is bounded on the north by the river Thames, 
which separates it from Caversham, on the west side 
as far as the bridg-e, from whence, taking in a small 
inead, now a whitTening manufactory, it passes along 
the centre of the high road, and the lane, called the 
Workhouse lane,* to the Pangbourn road,t where 
turning to the left it passes along the middle of Broad- 
street and Butcher-row, to the end formerly called 
Tutte-hill ; from thence down Yield hail, now Hill- 
liall, to a ditch at the bottom, which forms the boun- 
dary on the south, and passing under the north end of 
the Bear Inn to the Back brook, and from thence to 
the Kennet, abave the Lock,, which, from this place, 
becomes the boundary line between this parish and 
St. Giles's ; the remainder, on the west side, is in- 
cluded within the bounds of the borough; but the 
hamlet of Southcote, belonging to this parisli extends 
beyond tljc limits of the borough. The making of 
the river Kennet navigable in 1720, had so confused 
the line of demarcation between the parishes of St. 
Mary and St Giles, that to prevent any further alter- 
cations respecting those boundaries, it was found ne- 
cessary in 1 788, for eacli of the vicars, with the church- 
wardens, and other respectable inhabitants of the two 
parishes, to make a survey of the whole line, when it 
was agreed, ** that the slip of land adjoining the Pen- 
lock mead, and the mead itself, about four acres more 
or less, are in the possession of St. Mary's, and also a 
slip near the Wire mills, and a meadow, and a cop- 
pice of p]>out four acres, called, in Mr. Blagrave's 
map, Wallot mead, near the s-kl mills. And it has 
isince been proved, that a meadow, called Dodd's 
mead, of three acres, near the said mills, belougn to 

* Thorn- street. f Oxford- street. 



I 



HISTORY OF READING. lli 

Sr. Mary's parish, whose officers have since received 
the taxes for the same." * 

St. Mary's derives it appellation of Minster, from 
the supposed circumstance of its liaviuj^ been the first 
relig-ious edifice erected in this place, after the con- 
version of its inhabitants. The term, which is pure 
Saxon, anciently signified the church of a monastery 
or convent; the first stone of which was usually de- 
posited by the saint or preacher through whose per- 
suasions the converts had been induced to crown their 
work of relii>ious faith by raisincr a temple in honour 
of their new and only deity. \Ve find St. Alban, in 
Lydgate's life of that celebrated saint, thus men- 
tioned . 

Seynte Albone 
Of that raynstre leyde the first stone. 

The old churcli, being found in a state of great dila- 
pidation, was taken down, in 1547, and the present 
structure raised in its place, between the years 1550 
and 1553; the old spire, however formed a part of 
the new church, and it remained standing till 1594, 
when it was blown down in a violent storm of wind. 
The expence of rebuilding was very small, in conse- 
quence of the materials being supplied by the abbey 
remains and by what eould be made useful from the 
ancient church; the sum amounted to only j£l24„3„5 
and to this may be added the subsequent expence of 
erecting the tower, v/hich was partly paid by a rate 
levied on the inhabitants, and in part by Mr. Johu 
Kenriek who bequeathed the sum of fifty pounds, in 
1624, towards completing the pinnacles. 

Like the other churches in this town, St. Mary's 
can boast of no architectural beauty. It is a plain 
long building, with a square tower of considerable 
elevation (about 90 feet), and some ornament; com- 
posed of compartments of flint and stone, placed 
checker-wise, and surmounted by four pinnacles, ter<. 
minating in vanes. Tlie pinnacles are supported by 
octangular buttresses, through one of which is the 
assent by a stone stair case tc the bell-tower, and th« 

* Mr. Man and Parish Register. 
I 'J 



l\ 6 H4ST0RY OP READING. 

lead*, winch are surrounded with battlements. The' 
nave, in its original state was compass-roofed ; which 
form is now changed to that of an obtusely pointed 
arch, supported by frame work of a similar shape, the 
body of the church consists of the nave, a lar^e hand- 
some chancel, a south aisle, and a small north aisle, 
called VachelPs ; a row of pillars, supporting four 
circular arches, and which are thought to be remains 
of the old church, separate the south aisle from the 
nave; the chancel contains various monutnents to the 
memory of some of the principal benefactors of the 
town ; and the part devoted to the cona^regation is oc- 
cupied by, what Mr. Man very justly calls, ** the usual 
incumbrance of pews/' those defacers of all interior 
ecclesiastical beauty, and invented for the people, 
immortalized by Prior, who 

paid the dwirch and parish rate, 

And took, but read not, the receipt ; 

For which they claimed their Sunday's due 

Of slumbering in an upper pew. 

** At the west end is a gallery with the date 1631, 
and W. F. R. G., the initials of Walter Fellows, Rich- 
ard Goddard. In the front, carved in wood, are the 
arms of Thomas Bunbury, the vicar ; on a bend dex- 
ter, three chess-rooks; over all, a label of three points ; 
the crest, a leopard's face. Over the capitals of the 
pillars are grotesque figures, which support the pro- 
jecting part of the gallery, some of which are playin^r 
on an instrument of music, resembling a pipe. This 
is used for a singing gallery, and behind it, under the 
IVellfrey, is a screen of carved oak, with the date 1624, 
and the initials E. S. R. S. Edmund Spyre, Richard 
Stampe;^ 

The font stands at the west end of the south aisle ; 
the va«e, which appears to have been placed upon the 
pedestal of a more ancient font, i& octagonal : four sides 
of it are floridly ornamented, one is quite plain, and 
the other three have escutcheons of arms. West- 
ward of the font, below the window, are the remains 
of an ancient grave stone, once adorned with rich 
canopy work, but now stripped of all its ornaments, 
bfas^ef,^ and iascriptions In the saiae atsle stood 



HISTORY OF READrVG. 117 

Coliiey'o Chantry, of wliich there arc now no remain* 
A chantry was anciently a small chapel, church, or 
altar, in a cathedral or minster, which was endowed 
with lands, or other yearly revenue, for the mainte- 
nance of one or more priests, daily saying: or sin^iusf 
mass for the souls of the donors and such othiirs as 
they appointed The word, as applied to an interior 
buildinof, is thus used by Shak^ispearc: 

Now go with me, and with this holy mEn, 

Into the chantry by : 

And, underneath that consecrated roof, 

Plight me the full assurance of your faith. 

Chantry rents, are rents paid to the crown by thft 
tenants or purchasers of chantry lamls. 

('olney chapel, or chantry, wa^ insliluted A.D. 13/2, 
in the reign of Edward HI., probably by one of the 
Colney family, for the benefit of the souls of the king?, 
William and Johanna Catour, Thomas and John de 
Colney, and for the souls of all the faithful interred 
within St. Mary's church ; an annual rent charge of 
twenty-five slJillings was applied to the establishment 
of a chaplain ; and the presentation to the chantry, 
after the decease of William Catour, was vested in the 
mayor of the town ; or in the bishop of Salisbury, if 
no presentation were made within three months. 

Mr. Man ^ives a list of twelve incumbents, ending 
with Richard Turner, 1523; who had an annuity of 
six pounds per annum settled on him for life, when 
the chantry was dissolved in the reio^n of Henry Vlll. 

The pews are of oak, and of considerable antiquity; 
the upria^ht timbers and cross pieces that support the 
substantial framework of the roof, are said to be of 
chesnut, and have been procured from Reading* Ab- 
bey ; the pulpit and reading desk, a gift from the 
Vachell family, are of mahogany, and supposed to be 
part of the first wood of that kind brought into Read- 
ing. The communion table is enclosed with rails of 
oak, and the altar piece is of the same material con- 
sisting of plain pannels, with an architrave, supported 
by fluted pilasters of the Ionic order. In the centre 
is a semi-circular pediment with a return, supported 
by three pilasters, between which arc the two tables of 



118 tilSTORY or READI\^G* 

the law, in black characters, on a gold ground ; ani 
on each side, are the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. 

VachelPs aisle, which was originally a small chapel^ 
is OB the north side of the church ; in the window are 
the arms of the family, bearing this motto, now al- 
most defaced, 

** It is better to snffer than to revenge." 

the origin of which is thus related by Symonds, in his 
church notes : *' It is reported in Reading, an old 
story of Vachell, that would not suffer the Abbot of 
Reading to carry hay through his yard. The abbot, 
after many messages, sent a monk, whom Vachell, in 
fury killed, but was forced to fly; and he and his after 
took the motto of** better to suffer than to revenge." 
Mr. Coates adds that the tradition still continues, and 
he supposes that the privileges claimed by the abbot, 
as lord of the manor of Reading, and impropriator of 
the great tithes in this parish, resembled those now 
asserted by the corporation, who, in their preambu- 
lations, have the right of passing over a foot bridge, 
near which it is said, the monk was slain. 

The chancel was wainscotted and furnished with 
seats in 1680; and from the following entry it appears 
to have been done at the expense of the parishioners. 
'* The parish, this year, at their own proper costs and 
charges, and from their own good will, and well dis- 
posed minds, and because it is requisite and godly for 
every christian to come most reverently, orderly, and 
with all humility to that excellent table of the Lord's 
supper, being unto them that worthily receive the same, 
a pearl of most precious prize; and seeing heretofore, 
how disorderly, for want of good government, and 
lacking of decent room, the said place was disordered, 
hath caused the chancel to be wainscotted, and seated 
round about, which cost fourteen pounds, saving, 
and towards which, Mr. William Powell, vicar, of his 
own good will, and so to instigate the parishoncrs in 
this so godly a deed, gave forty shillings, and there 
was laid out of the church-stock, thirteen shillings and 
and four pence ; the remainder was raised by a tax on 
the scat* from eight pence to one penny each yearly.'^ 



HISTORY Of RKAUING. i l^ 

There appears no doubt but that the Abbey fur- 
nished nearly all the materials of which the church is 
composed, a fact which sufficiently accounts, as we 
have already observed, for the small expenses incurred, 
whether for buildiuif or repairing". The subjoined 
entry from the churchwardens books notice some of 
the churtrea made in removing the materials from the 
abbey for the above purpose. 

Paid for the roof m the Abbey . . . . £6 18 8 

Paid for taking down the roof and taking out the 

hooks 6 4 

Paid for taking down the choir, and the carriage 

home of the same ; twenty-one loads . . 10 6 

Paid for the carriage of eleven loads of lead into the 

abbey, to be cast 3 10 

Paid the plumbers for their pains . . . .010 
Paid for twenty-one loads carriage of timber out of 

the abbey 6 8 

Paid to Serjeant Hynde for the pillars « , . 10 § 
Paid the Carter for a load of stone carriage out of 

the abbey ,. .026 

Paid for the door that stood in the cloister, and for 

a stove in the church . . . . ..080 

The door here mentioned is, in Mr Man's opinion^ 
that at the west end of the church, which is evidently 
of an older date than the rest of the building; the 
jambs and lintels are of massive free stone ; there is 
an escutcheon on each side but the bearings are quite 
defaced. Over the door, is a window in the Norman 
style of architecture, with these letters inscribed about 
the point of the arch, 

tr.Qd.tr.tr 

In 1571, a parish clerk was appointed, in the person 
of Mr. John Marshall, wbo appears to have been the 
first raised to that important dignity since the opening 
of the church ; his recompence for performing that 
office, and also the graver duties of sexton, and with 
those of evening bell ringer, amounted to sixteen 
shillings and eight pence per annum, he was appoint- 
ed, (according to the church books) for the more or- 
derly discharge of divine servico ; and in consideration 
of his emoluments, he was ** from time to time to see 
the church clean kept, the seats swept and clean made, 
the mats beaten, the dogs driven out of the church, 
the windows made dean, and all other things done 



ti9 HISTORY OF READING. 

that shall be necessary to be done for the good and 
cleanly keeping of the church, and the quiet of divine 
service. 

A further addition was made to the ornamental part 
of the church in 1611, by the introduction of a clocks 
made by a horologist from Windsor ; who was to 
receive twenty-four pounds, thirteen shillings, and 
eight pence, on the completion of his piece of handi- 
craft ; and to give a bond to the parish, under suffici- 
ent Burieties, for its going correctly ; but the Windsor 
clock maker does not seem to have been the Tompion 
of his craft, for shortly after, Mr. Marshall had to 
enumerate among his other duties, the setting of the 
clock " so as to go and strike, as near as he could, at 
due hours." 

The church had originally a ring of three bells, but 
in 1614, a fourth bell was added, of the value of fifty- 
one pounds sixteen shillings ; nearly half was paid by 
Mr. Powell, the Vicar; and the remainder made up 
by subscriptions from the parishioners ; whose liber- 
ality, in the same year, contributed towards building 
the arch that divides the chancel from the nave. In 
the following year. Dr. Powell, who seems to have 
been indefatigable in promoting the beauty of his 
church, and increasing the number of its bells, suc- 
ceeded in persuading ** the right worshipful Lady 
Bennet Webbe, widow of Sir William Webbe, Knt. 
citizen, and ironmonger, of London, and lord mayor 
in 1591, who was born at Reading," to contribute the 
*' fifth bell," which cost one hundred and one pounds, 
sixteen shillings, and weighs twenty-one hundred- 
weight, one quarter, nineteen pounds ; this addition 
to the belfry was called the Lady bell, to commemo- 
rate, in memoriam sempiternam the generosity of the 
relict of the flower of civic aristocracy. At what time 
the present ring of eight bells was completed is not 
mentioned.* 

* The first application of bells to religious pursoses is as- 
cribed to PauUnus Bishop of Nola, in Campania, about the 
year 400 ; they were introduced into Scotland, as early as the 
sixth century, and during the following one, into the churches 
of England. The number of bells in every church gave occa- 
sion to the curious and singular piece of architecture in the 
^QmpaniU^ or bell-tower j an addition whicb is more susceptible 



HISTORY OF READING. 121 

The 80Utli window, opposite the pulpit, waa built 
in 1679, by the churchwardens, '* which was tlie only 
thing they did that deserves praise," shortly after, the 
roads, leading; to the church, which had become al- 
most impassable, were properly repaired, and from 
this time it received little in the way of ornament or 
addition, till the year \796, when the whole was 
thoroughly renovated and embellished. 

A terrier or rent roll of St. Mary^s Parish in 1556. 
A quit rent out of a tenement at Tanmyl Lock 

(Lock Mead, behind the^ear Inn) 
A quit rent out of a barn iw Lurkman's Lane . 
A quit rent out of a house in Grape Lane 
A quit rent for a house in Minster Street 
A quit rent of Richard Butler, the miller of Burfield 

for his house in Minster Street . 
A year''s rent for the house of the hill 
A year's rent for the tenement at Cornish Cross, 

called the Clerk's house .... 
A year's rent of the Thatched house 
A year's rent for a house opposite the Bear . 
A year's rent for a house in the Butts 

Total ... £3 8 

Terrier in 1799. 
Mr. Vachell's chancel, per annum . . , .10 
Rent of a house in Castle Street, in the occupation 

of Mr. Abery, baker 2 8 

Rent of Mr. Dixon's house in the Butts . .200 

Rent of Mr. Earle's house in Castle Street . .110 
Rent of Mr. Jno. Dean's house . . . .306 









6 








1 








3 








4 








6 





1 


8 





6 


8 





6 





1 


8 





1 


4 






Total ... £9 18 6 

of the grander beauties of architecture than any other part of 
the edifice, and is generally, therefore, the principal or rudi- 
ments of it. Bells were formerly baptized, anointed oleo cAm- 
maiis, and named in a very solemn manner, as when this cere- 
mony had been performed, they were supposed to have the power 
of calming tempests, extinguishing fires, and more particularly 
of driving away spirits ; hence the origin of the passing-hell, 
which was emciently rung to scare away the devil, and give the 
parting sold what sportsmen call laic, the better to enable it to 
win its race for immortal life ! The pleasure arising from the 
melody of bells consists in the variety of interchange, and the 
various succession and general predominance of the conson- 
ances in the sounds produced. The anxiety of the Vicar for 
increasing the number of his bells is easily accounted for, when 
we recollect that, four helU only admit of twenty-four changes 
IB ringing, whilc^re hdU can make ^h? hundred end twtnfy. 



122 HISTORY OF READING. 

** The revenues of tlie vicar, consist of the great and 
small tithes throuohout the parish, easter dues, and 
surplice fees. The glebe consists only of the ground 
attached to the parsonage house, and a small piece of 
ground called the Lock Mead, or the Vicar's orchard, 
eontaing fifty-one square or superficial poles, now 
making part of the garden belonging to the Bear Inn. 
There is besides, a house on the south side of Castle- 
street, belonging to the vicarage. The re^'torial 
tithes were granted by queen Elizabeth, in 15.73, 

" In addition to the above the vicar receives ten 
pounds per annum, the gift of Mr. Kendrick, for 
reading morning prayers, out of which sum he pays 
the clerk thirty shillings. He also receives three 
pounds eleven shillings, per muuiin, being the interest 
of S. S. stock, purchased with the sum of one hundred 
pounds, left for that purpose by Mrs. Thorn. John 
Blagrave, Esq. in 1611, left ten shillings, per annum, 
to the vicar for tlie time l)eing, for a sermon to be 
preached on Good Fridays and Mrs. West, in 1717, 
left one pound per ann., for a sermon to be preached 
oil St. Thomas's day, every year, at one of the three 
churches, alternately." 

** Beside the above oift for extra duties, the vicar 
receives annually, one pound ten shillings, being one 
third of the tenth part of Mr. Allen's gift." 

** The church is rated in the King's books, at eleven 
pounds, twelve shillings, and three pence half-penny; 
and tlie yearly tenths at one pound three shillings and 
two pence three farthings." 

The vicarage house is situated on the south side of 
the church-yard. The front was rebuilt by Mr. Fox, 
it was enlarged by Dr. Bolton, and considerably en- 
larged by Mr. Sturges. Until the dissolution, the 
vicarage was in the patronage of the Abbey; since 
then it has been in the presentation of the King, or 
what is nearly the same thing, in the gift of the Lord 
Chancellor. Mr. Coates furnishes a list of twenty 
vicars who successively held it (from 1173 to 1570) 
while the patronage was in the possession of the abbey 
and convent of Reading ; the following list contains 
the names of vicars, since the erection of the present 
church ; — 



^filSTORY OP RKADING 123 

Mr. Wm. Powell A.D. 1571 William Reeves, A.D. 1711 

Jno. Denison, D.D. 1614 Francis Fox, M.A. 1726 

Thomas Bunbury, D.D. 1628 Robert Bolton, D.C.L. 1738 

Christopher Fowler, 1641 Charles Stur^es, 1763 

Peter Mews, L.L.D. 1662 Archdeacon Nares 1805 

William Lloyd, D.D. 1667 H. H. Milman, 1817 

Abraham Brookshanks, 1676 

Christopher Fowler, mentioned above, was born at 
Malboroug-h, and, at the ag-e of 16, became a servitor 
of Maifdalen College, in 1627, where he remained till 
he took his bachelor's degree, when he removed to 
Edmund Hall, took there the d^sfree of Master of that 
faculty, and was shortly aft^r ordained ^ for some time 
he preached near Oxford, and subsequently, at West 
Wood-hay, near Donnington, in this County. In 1641 
he joined the Presbyterians, and became celebrated 
for his conceited and fantastical style of preaching'. 
** For by his many odd gestures and frantic behaviour 
(unbecoming the serious gravity to be used in the 
pulpit) he drew constantly to his congregation, a nu- 
merous crowd of silly w^omen and young people, who 
seemed to be hugely taken and enamoured with his 
t)bstreperousness and indecent cants.'' He was ap* 
pointed sucessively to the dignities of vicar of St. 
Mary's, fellow of Eton, and assistant to the Berkshire 
"Commissioners, named for carrying on the ** beauteous 
'discipline," as their employment was termed of eject- 
ing those whom they stykd ** scandalous, ignorant, 
and insufficient ministers and schoolmasters." At the 
restoration, being a non-conformist, he lost both his 
vicarage and fellowship, and retired to Kennington, 
where he continued to preach in his usual style. For 
some time before his death, he was much disordered 
in his understanding, and, finally, died in Southwark, 
in 1676. 

Fowler's works possess very little merit, though he 
^eems to have been a man of education; and there is 
nothinsf known of his character, that can warrant our 
impeaching him for want of sincerity in his motives. 
It -was rather against the w^roXXoi of the puritans, than 
against the talented members of that class of religion* 
hts, that the shafts of the dramatists of that period 



T24 HISTORY or iit:adi\c. 

nvere driven ; of the many allusions made to them by 
^healrical writers, Jonson's deserves to be the best 
"known for it h at once the mo^i't witty and correct : 
€x. gra. 

Lit, Rabbi Busy, sir, Is more faan asi elder, he is r prophet, 
sir. 

Quar. O, I know him, a baker, is he not ? 

Lit, He was a baker^ sir, but he does dream now, and see 
visions ; he has given over his trade. 

Quar, I remember that too; out of a scruple he took, that 
iin spiced conscienoe, those -cakes he made, were served to bri- 
dales, may-poles, mforrices^ ^nd such profane feasts and meet- 
ings. His dhmtran nxiine is Zeal-of-the-Land. 

Lit, Yes, sir ; Zeal-of-the-Land Busy. 

Winn, How! what a name's there ? 

Lit, O they have all such names, sir ; he was witness for 
"Win. here, — they will not be called godfathers, — and named 
her Win-the-fight : you thought her name had been Winnfred, 
^id you not. 

Winn, I did indeed. 

Lit. He would have thought himself a stark reprobate, if it 
liad. 

Peter Mews, the fifth in the above list of vicars, was 
probably a more celebrated man even than Fowler : 
he was a native of Dorset, and born in the year 1618. 
After receiving his education under his uncle. Dean 
'Winnif, at Merchant Taylor's School, he entered at 
St. John's College, Oxford, in 1 637. His industry there 
■was rewarded in 1641, with the degree of A.B., and 
four years after, he obtained that of M.A. ; during the 
civil war, he was an officer, in the royal army, and 
employed in the King's service in Holland, in 1648. 
He returned, however, to his College, and in 1660, 
-we find him invested with the honourable degree of 
L.L.D. In 1684, at which period he was Bishop of 
Winchester, he was commanded by the King, in com- 
pliance with the request of the gentry of Somerset, to 
^ against Monmouth, and he did eminent service, at 
the battle of Sedgemoor, where he directed the artil- 
lery ; and, afterwards, received a rich medal in return 
for the service he had performed. Hutchins men- 
tions him as a prelate remarkable for his hospitality, 
'l^cnerosity, justice, and frequent preaching. He died, 
J^overaber 9, 1706, aged 89, and wais buried in Win- 



HISTORY OF READING. \2» 

eliestcr Catbedral. The picture of Archbishop Lniid^ 
which now decorates the council cliamber, was pre- 
sented to the corporation by this prelate. 

Dr. Lloyd, the successor of the above, who wa» 
born at lilehurst, near Reading, in 1627, is chiefly 
celebrated for being one of the six bishops, who, with 
Archbishop Bancroft, were committed to the Tower 
in 1688, for subscribing and presenting to King James 
the famous petition against reading in all churches, 
the royal declaration for liberty of conscience; at that 
time he possessed the see of Asaph. In 1/02, wherv 
bishop of Worcester, and lord almoner, the queen 
deprived him of the latter dignity, on the recommen- 
dation of a majority of the House of Commons, for 
having improperly interfered in a Worcester Election. 
He died at the age of 91; and Coates cites Swift to 
prove that previous to his death, he had fallen into some- 
imbecility of mind, for he went to Queen Anne, says the- 
Dean of Si. Patrick's, ** to prove to her majesty out 
of Daniel and the Revelations, that four years hence- 
there would be a war of religion, that the king oF 
France would be a protestant, and that the Popedoiu* 
ihould be destroyed." 

Remarkable Entries in the Churchwardens^ Book, 
1555 Paid the man for watcliing the sepulchre* .0 & 

Paid the minstrels 16 8 

Paid for a cap and two feathers . . .016" 

1557 Paid to the minstrels and the hobby-horse up- 

on May-day 3 0* 

Paid to the morrice dancers and the minstrels, 

meat and drink at Whitsuntide . . .0 3 4- 

Paid to the painter for painting their coats .0 1 8- 
Paid upon Holy Thursday for the Lord's 

breakfast .021 

1558 Paid for hallowing the altars . . . 14 O 
Paid for a pound and a half of frankincense .0 11 

1566 Item for making the butts . . . . 8 (^ '^ 
Item for writing the scripture about the church 8 4 

1570 Paid for two packs of cards . . . .004 

1571 It is agreed that Mr. Powell, vicar » shall harse 
half the Pascal money, he paying for half the 
bread and wine, according to the agreement 
made with the old vicar. 

♦ This was a ceremony used in churches in remembrance oC' 
the soldiers watching thje sepulchre of oiu- Sawour. 



12G HISTORY OF RSAOrNG, 

I6(>4*ltem to the rincrers, when the queen came 

through the town . . . . . IS 

lCl2*Item to the ringers, when the king came 

through the town 7 

16-22 Paid the two labourers to plain the groimd 

where the Butts should be . . .056 

1626 Paid for carving Mr. Jno. Kenrick's arms, 

over the south arch of the tower . . Q 2 6 

1643tFor ringing for the king, at his return from 

Branford after the fight . . . .01 6 

1654!^ Paid for ringing for the Lord-protector . 6 ft^ 

1670 It was ordered that Lovejoy's boy shall be car- 
ried to London^ to be touched for the king's 
evil, at the charge of the parish. 

1674 It was ordered, that any person receiving 
strangers into their houses, and not giving 
security' to the parishioners within forty 
days, their taxes should be doubled. 

I687§ Paid for ringing when the king came . . 15 0- 

1688 Paid for ringing when the ^Prince of Wales 

was born . 6 

Paid for ringing w^hen the Prince of Orange 
was proclaimed . . . . . 10 

l?691||Paid for ringing three days at the king's re- 
turn from Ii-eland . . . . .119 0- 
Meramorandum :. that upon the 22nd day of No- 
vember, Tamfield Yatchell, Esq., and An- 
thony Blagrave,Esq. were elected burgesses 
for this borough, and both of them inhabi- 
tants of this parish. 

Some of the entries in the above list furnish us with 
a very lively idea^f the manners and customs of tlie 
inhabitants of this part of the country, as they were 
exhibited in the sports and pastimes of, what we raav 
now consider, a remote period ; of these it may not 
be uninterestinij to our readers to offer them a brief 
explanatory notice ; and deferring for the present to 
touch upon such of the details as refer to relis^ious 
ceremonies, (as we shall have occasion to mention 
them in our account of the church of St. Lawrence,) 
we will shortly illustrate those which are connected 

* Queen Anne ard her husband James T. or the two queens as 
the Paris wits would call them. 

Rex flit Elizabeth, nunc est Regina Jacobus. 

f Charles I. X Tromwell. § James II. 

^ Jameft Francis Edward ; the ** old Pretender,'* who died 
at Rome, A.D. 1766. [1 William III.. 



HISTORY OF READING. 127 

with what oiice formed part of our national amuse- 
ments. 

The Minstrels^ were the wanderinj^ players of their 
aue; their profession, like the actors', was shared by 
men of all grades, but it of course proved profitable 
to none who who were not possessed of some ability ; 
there is a nominal and understood aristocracy amon^* 
the children of Thespis, which also existed, but in 
a more marked degree, among the sons of " the mer- 
rie craft," the latter being dividefl into squire and 
yeomen minstrels ; at the period they are mentioned 
in our extract above, they held, in public estimation, 
a middle place between the awe and reverence which 
had been paid formerly to the Bards and Scalds, and 
the neglect and persecution v»hich befel them after 
the dispersion of the monks,^ and the rise of dramatie 
poetry. At the time we find them visiting Rea-ding, 
they enjoyed the privilege of entering all companies 
without ceremony, to recite their verses and moral 
speeches, written for them by the monks, and accom- 
panied by their harps, and they sustained a character 
at that period far superior to any thing we can con- 
ceive at present of the singers of old ballads. In the 
early and golden era of their art they were both poets 
and minstrels ; all our short heroic ballads can be 
traced to them ; these were never written, for they 
were composed before literature prevailed, but im- 
proved and got by heart. It is thought, from the great 
variations which occur in different copies of these old 
pieces, that the minstrels were not scrupulous in 
altering each other's productions, leaving out, it 
would seem, or adding whole stanzas as their fancy 
or taste suggested. When written poetry became 
cultivated and excited admiration, the minstrels 
abandoned their own rude rhymes for the scarcely 
more polished verses composed in the leisure and 
retirement of m.onasteries. It was probably when the 
monks furnished them with their long metrical ro- 
mances, that they added action to their recitation ; 
such at least is inferred from the fact that our old 
monkish historians do not employ the words citharo- 
du8, cantqtoj\ or the like, to express minstrel in Latiii; 



128 HISTORY OF READIN'C, 

but either mimus, hietrio, jaculator, or some other 
term which implies gesture ; and that, in short, ac- 
cording* to Dr. Brown's hypothesis, they united the 
power of melody, poem, and dance ; hence, perhaps, 
wliy we find them united, as above, with the morrice- 
dancers, their sina^le attraction was possibly not very 
great ; and from the " painting their coats," it is clear 
they vvere yeoman (or inferior) mintrels who assumed 
some whinsical and fictitious coats, or device. The 
costume of a squire minstrel was splendid and costly, 
and such as were retained by noble families, wore 
their arms hanginj? down by a silver chain, as a kind 
of badge. Towards the end of the 16th century this 
class, which had enrolled kings among its numbers, 
had so fallen from its former proud elevation, that in 
the 39th year of Elizabeth, a statute was passed by 
which *^ minstrels,'^ wandering abroad, were included 
among ** rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars," 
and were adjudged to be punished as such. This act 
seems to have destroyed their profession, for after 
this time it is no longer mentioned. 

The Morrice-daneery (quasi Moorish dancers) were 
introduced as an addition to our old May-day sports, 
at an early period; Mr. Peck, in his memoirs of Mil- 
ton, with great probability, conjectures that they were 
first brought into England in the lime of Edward III., 
when John of Gaunt returned from Spain, where he 
had been to assist Peter, King of Castile, against 
Henry the Bastard. The original May-day pastime 
consisted in little more than a party sallying out at 
the first dawn to gather the fragrant flowers of the 
white thorn, which were brought home, and being 
suspended from a high pole, formed a centre for 
villagers and townsmen to dance round in the even- 
ing. The church of St. Andrew Under-Shaft, in Lon- 
don, derives its name from its steeple or tower bein^ 
lower than the May-pole which used formerly to be 
erected near it : but the Morrice-dancers, though in- 
troduced as an adjunct to the May revels, performed 
also at Whitsuntide and Christmas, and probably with 
more ecl&t and profit where, as in this town, there ex- 
isted a Franciscan friary, than in any other place, for 



BISTOttY OF READING. 12^ 

while monks and parish priests were prohibited wear- 
ing splendid girdles with golden twists and tassels, 
and forbidden, by their diocesans, to assist in IV] ay 
games, the Franciscans accompanied the Maying party 
to collect their boughs and flowers, and weie not re- 
strained from attending ihe sports that ensued, being 
exempt, as we have previously mentioned, from all 
episcopal jurisdiction. 

In foreign countries, the dance was performed by aa 
equal number of young men, who, with naked swords' 
ill their haiuls, danced in clieir shirts, profusely deco- 
rated with ribbands, and having their legs hung witk 
a number of small bells.* In place of the swords, our 
more peaceful rustics, made use uf sticks and hand- 
kerchiefs, flourishing the latter, and going through a 
sort of mock combat with the staves; we also retained 
the fool; and Maid Marian, an old favourite charac- 
ter, was still Queen of the May, in spite of the attrac- 
tion of the foreigners; but the most important perso- 
nage of all was the famous hobby-horse, mentioned 
in the above list, with the minstrels, as having re- 
ceived three shillings for the joint exercise of their 
talents, upon the day of the great spring festival. 
The hobby was a spirited horse of hollow pasteboard, 
in which the master stood, having his legs concealed 
by an elegant crimson cloth attached all round close 
to the body of the animal, while a pair of false legs, 
booted and spurred, hung from the saddle outside, as 

* These bells were generally divided into sets, and attached 
to pieces of leather made to fasten on various parts of the body; 
they were small and circular, and many performers carried not 
less than two hundred and iifty-two of them, formed into twenty- 
one sets, of twelve bells each ; each stt possessed perfect har- 
monious intonation, and regular musical intervals between their 
tones ; so that the morrice-dancer, though he could not produce 
a tune, was able to create a pleasing and musical chime, accord • 
mg as he regulated vnth. skill the movements of his body. Mr. 
Morrison, the historian of Perth, in his account of the showy 
costume of a morrice-dancer, preserved by the Glovgr Incor- 
poration of that pleasant city, says that the musical arrangement 
of the bells " is sufficient evidence that the morrice-dance was 
not quite so absurd and unmeaning as might at first be supposec^ i 
but that a tasteful performer could give pleasure by it to tfa« 
•kilfal, as well aa anQ'^isenieat to the vulgar.^' 

R 



130 HISTORY OF READING. 

members to represent the real leg's of the owner, wliich 
were employed beneath the cloth in G^ivinsT ^n ap- 
pearance of vivacity to tiie steed, by curvetting and 
caracolling, to the profound amazement of the specta- 
tors. There are sufficient materials for the history of 
the hobby-horse, to be found in the allusions to it, 
which are scattered throuo'hout our dramatic poetry ; 
he was long an applauded feature of the peopled- fa- 
vourite pageant, till like greater characters he fell be- 
neath persecution ; the turbulent and aspiring race of 
puritans, who began their career by anathematizing 
puppets and followed it up by slaying kings, opened 
against it all the batteries of their relijjfious zeal; it was, 
in their sight, *' a tierce and rank idol," and the vendors 
of them, *'Nebuchednezzars, proud Nei)uchednezzars 
of tlie fair, who sat them up for children to fall down 
to and worship." The modest hobby retired from 
these attacks in confusion ; he speedily disappeared 
from among his companions on May-day and other 
mirth-exciting periods, and is never after mentioned, 
but as one of the rhings that have been : we find it 
thus alluded to, in the well known line from Hamlet, 
" For oh, for oh, the hobby-horse is forgot!"* 

ST. iMARY^S BUTTS. 

The spacious street distinguished by this name was 
formerly a shooting ground of the inhabitants of Read- 
ing, — the place where were pitched ** St. iVIary's 
Butts," or the targets of the parish of St. Mary ; the 
name is the only vestige w^e possess, hei'e, for an 
^amusement once practised by all classes, patronized 
by government, and promoted bv laws. In the fiftli 
year of Edward IV. an act passed that every English- 
man, and Irishman dwelling with Englishmen, should 
have an English bow of his own height, which is di- 
rected to be made of yew, wych, hazel, ash, or 

* '* But see the hobby-horse is forgot, 
Fool, it must be your lot, 
To supply his want of faces 
And some other buffoon graces.** 

Jonson's Queen and Prince at Althorp. 
Passages with the same allusion might be cited ad infinitum,^ 



HfSTORY OF READING^ 131 

auburne, or any other reasonable tree according to 
their power. The next chapter also directs, that 
Butts shall be erected in every township, which the 
inhabitants are obliged to shoot up and down every 
feast day, under the penalty of a half penny when 
they shall omit this exercise. This law continued in 
force many years, and was probably the cause of this 
part of the parish being allotted for the exercise of 
archery ; and the name, in various parts of England, 
is as often given to the place where the archers met, 
as to the marks or targets at which they shot. It ap- 
pears from an old document, that there was formerly 
a house near, if not on, this spot, known by the sign of 
Le BoutCy from which we may reasonably conclude that 
it was some place of refreshment, opened more espe- 
cially for the resort and accommodation of the weary 
marksman, for whom a mug of ale had, for the mo- 
ment, more attractive charms than a sheaf of arrows. 
The use of the bow was impressed upon the English, 
by the victory gained over them at Hastings by Wil- 
liam the conqueror, and the lesson, taught them there, 
was never forgotten by succeeding generations till the 
introduction of fire-arms superseded the weapons of 
the archer. For a long period, the English bowmen 
constituted the chief strength of the kingdom, and 
Cressy, Poictiers, Agincourt, and Hamildon, are proud 
testimonies of the brave efficiency of our ancestors ; 
in the last named field the triumph was undividedly 
theirs ; lance, battle-axe, and sword lay unemployed, 
and their wearers stood idle spectators of the fight 
while the arcliers poured in their death dealing showers 
of iron, and won the fray. The art fell into some 
disuse after Richard I. was slain by a peculiar sort of 
cross-bow, of which it is said, he was the inventor, 
but it was too important for our national defence to 
remain long so : for two centuries after gunpowder 
was introduced, it continued to be in estimation, which 
probably arose from muskets being cumbersome and 
unwieldy ; it was long encouraged as an amusement 
after that, and was a fashionable pastime from the 
reign of Henry VIII. to that of Charles I. The latter 
monarch made a partial attempt to introduce it agaia 

K 2 



132 



HISTORY or BEADING. 



into the army, but without success. So lately as the 
year 1753, targets were erected in the Finsbury fields, 
London, durino- the Easter and Whitsun holidays ; 
when the most successful shooter was styled Captain ; 
and the second best, Lieutenant. The expence of 
erectinaf the Butts in St. Mary's Parish, as appears 
from the Churchwardens' book, amounted to ei^ht 
shilling's, this was in the year 1566 ; they were proba- 
bly renewed in 1622, when we find that five shillins^s 
and sixpence were paid to two labourers for plaining" 
tiie irround ; in the previous year, the parishioners of 
St. Giles aarreed that the churchwarden and constables 
should set up a pair of shooting butts, in such place 
as they should think most convenient : — the cost of 
this undertaking' was fourteen shillings and eleven 
pence. 

The principal societies now in Britain for the en- 
couragement of this ancient sport, are the IVoodrnen 
of Arden, the Toxopholite ; and the Eoyal Company ^ 
of Scotland : the feathers selected to wing the arrows 
are generally taken from the goose ; two out of three 
are usually white, being" plucked from the g-ander ; the 
third is brown or grey, and serves, from its difference 
of colour, to inform the archer when the arrow is 
properly placed. The English bowman always drew 
his arrow to his ear and not to the breast ; from an- 
tique reliefs, and the tradition of the Amazons, it is 
very clear that this practise was contrary to that of 
the ancients ; some authors maintain that in this 
deviation from the custom of other nations, lay the 
secret of our superiority, but though the English 
manner no doubt contribted something towards the 
superiority which our archers attained, it probably as 
much consisted in the better materials of the weapons 
and the more frequent practice of the men. 



HlftTORY OF READING ]33 

THE CHURCH OF ST» LAWRENCE. 

The parish of St. Lawreiice occupies the north- 
eastern extremity of the borough, and thou/fh it is the 
least extensive of the three parishes into which the 
town is divided, it is nearly equal to the others in the 
amount of its population, as it includes vviihin its 
boundary the wharfs, markets, and most of the prin- 
cipal shops for the sale of goods of every description : 
it lias the Thames on the N E. the river Kennet on 
the south, which seperates it from the parish of St. 
Giles, and is bounded on the west, by the Caversham 
Road, and the boundary line of St AJary's Parish. The 
church, which stands on the north side of the Market- 
place, at the entrance into the Forbury, was erected 
on the site of the old church, dedicated to St. Law- 
rence, about the year 1434, during the reign of Henry 
\T, and under the pontificate of Eugenius iV. There is 
a tradition in the town, that it was built by an appren- 
tice of the person who constructed St. Mary's, and 
who was so struck by some fancied superiority in 
the appearance of the building planned by his pupil, 
that in a fit of indigestible envy lie threw himself from 
the tower of the Minster, and was killed upon the spot. 
The great western door-way, composed of a circular 
arch, ornamented with rich mouldings, formerly be- 
longed to the Abbey; it has an escutcheon of arms, 
lately restored, on each side, and is surmounted by a 
very handsome window, of gothic architecture. This 
window consists of five large lights divided by four 
muilions, reaching to the base of the arch, the latter 
is occupied by six small lights, seven muilions, and 
some very fine tracery woik. The niches, near the 
door, were formerly occupied by statues, in one of 
them stood the image of St. Lawrence ; tlie effigy of 
the patron saint was to be seen, also, in tiie interior, 
together with those of St. Clement, St. Thomas, Our 
Lady of Reading, St. Leoiiard, St. Vincent, St. John, 
St. George, St. xXicholas, and the twelve Apostles, 
with Judcjs Jscariot; these figures were placed at the 
different altars, for purposes of religious worship; 
the high altar stood on the east, adorned with the 
crucifix, and the images of St. Mary aad St. John, 



134 HISTORY or READING. 

of silver gilt, weighing six pounds seven ounces. 
The altar of St. Thomas was on the north side ; that 
of our Lady of the Nativity on the south side; St. 
John's was in the chancel called by his name; and 
Jesus' altar was the centre one, in the bociy of the 
church. These altars were stripped of all their images, 
plate, and ornaments, by the commissioners of Ed- 
ward VI„ who were appointed to visit all churches 
for that purpose; the valuables thus collected were 
ordered to be deposited with the treasurer of the 
king's household, and the proceeds arising from 
the sale of such things as were not deemed worth tJiat 
functionary's care, were directed to be distributed 
among the poor, who, as is usual in such castas, ** had, 
however, the least share of it;" nothing was left by 
the commissioners in these forays upon the churches, 
l)Ut one or two chalices of silver, with linen for the 
communion table and surplices. The quantity of plate, 
and other things, belonging to this church, given in 
the following inventory, was made a few years prior 
to the reformation ; we have taken the liberty, in 
copying so interesting a document, to modernize 
most of the spelling : 

Imprimis a cross of silver and gilt, with Mary and John, weighs 

ing 79|oz., the gift of Master Nichs. More, late vicar. 
Item a censor of silver gilt without a pan, weighing 30|oz. 
Item another censor of silver gilt, with an iron pan in him, 

weighing 30|oz. 
Item a ship of silver, weighing 9oz« 
Item another ship of silver, weighing 5oz. ; the gift of Master 

Cletche. 
Item two candlesticks of silver, weighing i2oz. ; the gift of 

Richard Cleche. 
Item two books, ** a gosppello and a pistello," the one side 

covered with silver gilt, with images upon the same, and the 

other side with bosses of silver, weighing in all, 134oz. ; the 

gift of Mr. Richard Smyth, yeoman of the robes with our 

sovereign lord the king. 
Item two basons of silver, weighing 48|oz. ; the gift of Mr. R. 

Smyth. 
Item a pipe of silver and gilt, with a silver pin, weighing l6|oz, 

hanging in the church. 
Item *' a monstre" of silver and gilt, weighing 24|oz, ; for the 

sacrement. 
^tem a chriomatory of silver gilt, weighing 22|oz, 



HISTORY OF HEADING. 135 

Item a pipe of silver gilt, weighing 6oz. 

Item two small urns of silver, weighing 6§oz. 

Item a bell of silver, weighing 8oz. 

Item a chalice of silver and gilt with a crucifix on the foot 
enamelled, and the Trinity enamelled on the patent, weigh- 
ing 25 oz. 

Item another chalice of silver and gilt, with a crucifix graven 
on the foot, and a hand on the patent, weighing 18oz. 

Item another chalice of silver and gilt with a crucifix enamelied 
on the foot, and a hand on the patent, weighing ISlaz. 

Item another chalice of silver and gilt with a crucifix enamelled 
on the foot, and the Trinity enamelled on the patent, weigh- 
ing 17^oz. 

Item another chalice of silver gilt with a crucifix on the foot, 
and a vernacle* on the patent, weighing 14|oz. 

Item another chalice of silver gilt with a crucifix on the foot, 
and a vernacle gilt on the patent, weighing 14oz. 

Item another chalice of silver gilt, weighing IS^oz. ; the gift 
of Wm. Stamford. 

Item a cross of silver and gilt with part of the holy cross there- 
in, weighing 6|oz. 

Item a gridiron of silver and gilt, with a bone of St. Lawrence 
thereon,-f weighing |oz, ; the gift of Thomas Lyade, Esq. 

Item a round box of copper and gilt, with divers relics therein^ 

Item a table closed with relics. 

Item foui* ** knoppis" of copper and gilt. 

The Vestments, 

Imprimis a cape of cloth of gold of crimson velvet and blue 

velvet ; the gift of Mr. Thomas Justice, vicar. 
Item a cope of blue velvet with flounces embroidered ; the gift 

of Thomas Clark, hosier. 
Item a cope of crimson velvet with '* orphrayes" (gold frieze) 

embroidered, and angels flounces ; the gift of Mr. T. Justice, 

vicar. 
Item a cope of white damask tissue, with roses of gold, the 

gift of Ralph White, of Okyngham. 
Item a cope of black worsted with branches and birds of red. 
Item a cope of red silk with signs of the sun ; the gift of Daniel 

Robe, of Reading, monk. 
Item a suit of blue velvet with flounces embroidered, the gift 

of Thomas Clarke, hoiser. 

* From St. Veronica, whose handkerchief it is pretended, 
received the impression of our Saviour's face, from his having 
used it in his way to the crucifixion : in France, *' La Sainte 
Veronique," is considered the patron saint of that equivocal 
part of the population, demominated marchandes des modes. 

f It will be recollected that this saint won his crown of 
martyrdom, by being roasted to death on a gridiron. 



136 



HlftTORT OF READIXO, 



Item ** a chesible'* with a vest, and all th' apparel of blue silk, 

the orfray red velvet with images and crowns ot gold. 
Item a chesible of cloth of bawdekyn, (a tissue of cloth of gold 

embroidered with silk) the orfray of cloth of bawdekyn with 
. th' apparel ; the gift of John Derby, alderman of London. 
Item a chesible of green damask, the orfray of red silk, with 

an image of Saint Lawrence ; the gift of Margaret Parker/ of 
. Faringdon. 
Item a chesible of white damask with branches of gold, thies 

orfray of blue velvet ; the gift of John Thorn, abbot of Read« 

ing. 
Item two altar clothes of velvet, blue and black ; the gift of 

Master Smyth. 
Item a cushion, the one side cloth of gold ; the other sile cream 

coloured satin, the gift of Mr. Smith. 
'Item two pillows, the one side of them, cloth of gold and silver, 

aud the other side green satin. 
Item three pillows of russett ray for weddings. 
Item a corpus case, with the salutation of our Lady. 
Item another cloth of bawdekyn, with two lions. 
Item a canopy of crimson velvet, embroidered with gold flounces, 

and the holy tomb in the middle. 
Item ik pall of blue velvet embroidered with flounces of gold, 

the gift of Thomas Clarke, hoiser. 
Item a pall of white silk lined with linen cloth, for weddings. 
Item a cloth to lay in the wedding chair. 
Item a banner of red sarsnet for the cross, with images of the 

Trinity, and of our Lady. 
Item five banners of silk, with the arms of England. 
Item three streamers, one of silk, and two of linen. 
Item two " dext clothes," a kiiob of gold with tassells of bluie 

silk, twenty altar clothes of linen, seven towels of diaper, 

and a cot for Mary Magdalen, of cloth of gold. 

The altars thus despoiled by the reformers, were 
Once more raised and redecorated during the reign of 
Mary, who, with her husband Philip, honoured Read- 
ing with their presence at the solemnity of restoringf 
ihe appendages of Roman Catholic worship to their 
ancient and orthodox purposes; on this occasion their 
majesties gave a part of the Forhury to enlarge the 
church-yard, which since the dissolution, was found 
too small for the size of the parish ; before this period, 
many of the parishioners were interred in the abbey 
cemetry ; the new ground was walled round, at the 
expence of the inhabitants, and the church-yarrt, 
/i^lth the altars above-mentioned, was conaecrated on 
Sunday the'sccond ^.f May, 1558, by ^yi!liam Fynche, 



HISTORY OF READING. 137 

suffraGfaii to the bishop of Bath and Wells. The al- 
tars, however, were again removed, on the accession 
of Elizabeth, and an order of council was received, to 
take down the two organs, (the large one which was 
used to accompany the choir service, and tl^e smaller 
one in St. John's Chapel) ; after some hesitation in 
complying with the order, it was agreed, in 1578, that 
to prevent the tnstrnments from being forfeited into 
the hands of the organ takers, they sliould be taken 
down and sold, and the timber of them be applied 
** 10 set up two seats higher, for Mr. Mayor and his 
brethren, above the seat that they now sit in.'' 

"^J'he present organ,* according to Mr. Coates, was 
erected by subscription in 1741. The builder was 
Mr. John Byfield, a manufacturer of some celebrity, 
who was considered, in this instance, to have produced 
a very superior instrument. There are three rows of 
keys, for the swell, the choir, and the full organ.. 
The stops, exclusive of the diapasons, are tierce, 
twelfth, fifteenth, principal, sesquinaltra, cornet, 
trihnpet, clarion, cremona, and flute. It contains 
eleven hundred and seventy-nine speaking pipes, and 
cost four Inmdred pounds. At the musical festival in 
17"86, tlie Messiah was performed here; and* Judas 
Maccabeus in 1787 and 178.9. 

Over the south door is a Saxon arch supported by 
pillars, with small Saxon capitals, and within, upon 
the door, is the date 1620. On the same side of the 
church, there is a covered portico, open to the market 
place, called the church walk : it was built at the ex- 
pense of Mr. John Blagrave, who according to the 

• The antiquity of organs cannot be disputed though we pos- 
sess but little information concerning their invention. Bellar- 
mme says that they began to be used in church services as early 
as the year 660; while Bingham positively asserts that there 
were no such things as organs employed in the ancient church ; 
and that though church music was as old as the apostles, instru- 
mental music was not so ; he adds that it was the received 
opinion of his day, that they were not introduced into churches 
till after the time of Thomas Aquinas, A. D. 1250. Gervas, the 
monk of Canterbury, on the other hand, who flourished A.D. 
1200, aflfirms that organs were introduced upwards of a hundred 
t^ars, even, before that time : — non nostrvm^ Sfc, 



138 in«TORY or beading. 

inscription on the stone, over tlie centre pier, be- 
<|ueathed a hundred pounds to the corporation, for 
that purpose. The tower is a handsome structure of 
flint work, 89 feet hi^h, built square, with buttresses 
at the angles, and an embattled summit with vane and 
pinnacles ; it was originally furnished with five bells, 
but it now possesses a very complete ring' of twelve ; 
thelar^est, weii(hing34cwt. 1 qr. 10 lbs., was presented 
to the parish by Mr. Harry Kelsal ; it is called the great 
Harry, and was cast and consecrated in 1499, at which 
latter ceremony iSir William Sytnys, Richard Cleche, 
and Dame Symys, undertook the responsible offices 
of " god-faders and god-moder." This bell was re- 
cast, by subscription, in 1596, when the weight was 
increased to 36cjvt. 2 qr. 21 lb ; the subscription 
amounted to ^12 9*. 7d. to which ** the bachelors of 
Beading,'^ as a body, contributed the least sum ; only 
sixteen shillings and ninepence could be extracted 
from the purses of the unmarried lieges of this town, 
a fact which bespeaks in them a manifest indifference 
towards what, otherwise, might be considered their 
^wn peculiar duty of ringing the bells. 

The church appears to have possessed a clock, very 
early after its erection, probably about 1499 ; a new 
clock was pet up in 1667, and the chimes and quarters 
added in 1674. Few churches could have received 
this useful addition before that of St. Lawrence, as 
the art of making clocks, such as are now in use, 
was either first invented, or at least, retrieved, in Ger- 
many, about two hundred years ago. The first pen- 
dulum clock made in England was in the year 1662 ; 
there is no doubt that the principle of clock work is 
very ancient, but it was not applied to the regulation 
of time, till a comparatively modern period ; we had 
nothing in use for that purpose, prior to the seven- 
teenth century, but sun-dials, nocturnal dials, invented 
by an arch-deacon of Verona, and some rude time- 
pieces made to go as nearly as possible with the sun, 
by means of water. 

The cieling is coved, and the roof supported by 
large beams and upright pieces; from Blagrave's 
monument to the chancel the cieling is eliptical, of 



HISTORY or BEADING. 139 

pannel work, with roses and other ornaments at each 
intersection, this part of the church was not completed 
iili 1637, vvhen Sir Francis KnoUys contributed ten 
pounds towards the expense, and built the small aisle 
on the south side, at the same time, for a seat and 
burial place, for himself and family. JMost of the 
pews are of oak ; there was formerly Dne in the chan- 
cel, appropriated to the use of Queen Elizabe^^h, who 
was a frequent visitor here; w^ien her majesty was 
present, the seat was hun^ with tapestry, and the 
aisles strewed with rushes and flowers. The door on 
the north side of the church was built at the expense 
of this queen, on the solicitation of Mr. Smyth, the 
vicar; who also obtained from her an order for repair- 
ing- the chancel, at the expense of the crown. The 
pulpit, which was erected in 1735, is said to be after 
the model of that of St. Giles in the Fields ; it is of 
oak, (as is the readino- desk) of hexagonal form, with a 
rich foliage of carved work running round the bottom 
and the compartments on each side^ th« latter being 
ornamented with inlaid work, consisting of the cross; 
the sacramental cup ; the letters J. H. S., with a cross 
radiate ; an open book, inscribed Bihlia Sacra ; antl 
an inlaid square, within a border of scroll work ; the 
pounding board is supported by two fluted pilasters of 
the composite order, and is ornamented by a piece of 
inlaid work representing the Dove, from which flow 
rays terminated by stars in clusters. The altar piece 
is also of oak; the two centre pannels of the frontispiece 
contain the two tables of the law ; and the side pan* 
nels the Lord's prayer, and the creed ; the tetragam- 
matun, or word Jehovah in Hebrew characters, is in- 
scribed on a circular pediment, with a text from scrip- 
ture and doxology. Above the altar piece are three 
ox-eye arches, supported by small pillars with Saxon 
capitals ; they were formerly ornamented with paint- 
ings on religious subjects ; some figures in fresco 
and the transfiguration were visible before the repairs 
carried on in this part of the church, were effected. 
St. John's Chancel is on the north side of the Vicar's 
Chancel, and is so named from the brethren and sisters 
of the old hospital of St. John having formerly their 



140 HISTORY or READIXO, 

^eats here, of which two old ones are still remaining. 
The principal chancel, according to Mr. Coates, ** is 
now repaired by the Vicar, and the pews are let for 
his sole use and benefit ;" Mr. Man says, ** at pre- 
sent the chancel is repaired by the parishioners.*' 
Three round-headed pillars of the original chancel are 
still standing on the north side, supporting circular 
arches their capitals are of rich foliage. The font 
and the pillars in the nave, are said to be of chalk, or 
of some composition resembling it. The gallery oc- 
cupying the west, and part of the north and south 
sides, was built by subscription, in 1720, and the seats 
Appropriated to the subscribers, due regard being paid 
to those who contributed most liberally towards the 
erection. In 1740, Mr. Bondry, the vicar, obtained 
permission to take down a small old gallery at the 
north-east end of the church, and part of the gallery 
at the west end, and to build a gallery at his own 
expense, on the north side of the church, and on the 
w^ot part of the north chancel ; with the power of 
letting the seats, and of receiving the rents and 
profits to his own use, and that of his successors for 
ever The gallery at the east end was erected in 1768, 
by Dr. Nicholson, then vicar, at the cost of .^123 ; 
of which, sixty pounds were advanced by the doctor, 
and sixty-three pounds by St. John's College : the rents 
arising from the pews in this gallery, belong to the 
vicar. 

Terrier of St, Lawrence^s in 1498. 

£ s, d. 
Half acre of mead lying in Langley, in the parish of 

Tylehurst, let to Jno. Wylder of the Thele, per 

annum ...... 

A tenement on the east side of the Market-place 
A tenement in -Gutter -lane .... 

A tenement on the south side of New-st. (Friar-st.) 

A ground lying in Gutter -lane 

A tenement on the south side of New-street 

"Two gardens lying on the south side of Larkman^s 

lane,* let to Henry Sutton, per annum 
A quit rent of a tenement set (let) in High-street 
A tenement beside the market, per annum 

£l 19 8 
* Now Hosiers* Lane. 



. 


1 


1 


. 


10 





. 


7 





) 


10 





'. 


4 





. 


4 





5 
. 


1 


6 





1 


1 


. 


1 






HISTORY OF RKADING. 141 

The Terrier in 1783. 

Three messuages in the tenure of the overseers for 
the accomodation of the poor, with a garden, on 
the north side of Friar Street, per annum . .12 

One garden in Hosier's-lane, and one messuage 
with a garden, on the south side of Friar-street, 
on lease, which expires in 1835 . . . . 1 13 4 

One piece of land, whereon stood two tenements with 
gardens, on the south side of Friar-street, under a 
lease, expires 1835 13 6 

Three messuages, with gardens on the north side of 

Friar-street , . 2 10 

One room over the the gate-way leading into the 
church yard, and adjoining the church, under 
lease, expires in 1879 Q 16 

Tw^o tenements on the west side of Gutter -lane, un- 
der a lease, expires in 1836 . . . .300 

One tenement and a stable on the west side of Gut- 
ter-lane, on lease, expires 1836 . . .200 

Two half acres of meadow in Aston Mead . . a 10 

Four tenements on the west side of Horn -street .400 

A quit rent of a messuage, on the west side of the 

Market-place 10 

A quit rent of a tenement, on the north side of 

Broad-street 11} 

A quit rent of a messuage, on the south side of Friar- 
street 1 

An annual rent for the vault of Richard Curtis, Esq. 
in the north chancel of this church . . .068 

£16 14: 2| 

In Mr. J. Dean's account of the possessions belong- 
ing to this parish, three messuages are added, which, 
however, do not appear to make part of the above 
terrier ; two are in Cross Street, let at <^12 16 0, and 
one in Friar Street ** with land bounded by the Vas- 
terns on the North, let at £\2, making a further total 
of ^24 16 0. As the parish consists of abbey land, it 
has neither glebe nor tithes belonging to it ; except, 
says the church-book, ** an occasional tithe-pig ;" but 
the revenues arise from benefactions, with Easter- 
dues, surplice fees, and such contingent emoluments. 

Previous to the dissolution, the presentation to the 
vicarage w^as in the Abbot of Reading ; at which time 
the income of the living consisted in the contributions 
of rich clothiers, officers, and servants of the abbey ;. 



142 HISTORY OF READIXfi. 

half of the offerings made to the chapel at Caversham 
Brids^e, also belonged to the vicar of this parish, with 
the money arising from dirges, creeping to the cross, 
and other popish ceremonies; the abbey, moreover,^ 
supplied him with twenty shillings, yearly, for his 
clothing ; seven pence per week, for his commons, 
the same allowance of bread and beer as was furnished 
to the monks, a lodging in the abbey, and a horse for 
his use, when he attended the bishop's visitations. 
The living remained vacant for thirteen years after 
the dissolution, when it became difficult to find a gen- 
tleman who would accept the cure, as there was a 
heavy arrear due to the crown, for the tenths, subsidies 
&c., and only the Easter offerings of the poor inhabi- 
tants left, to pay it with ; Queen Elizabeth, in conse- 
quence, forgave the debt, and directed that the living, 
before rated in her books at ^27, should be valued at 
^10 only, so that the vicar now pays neither first 
fruits, nor tenths. In 1640, the patronage of the 
living was granted, at the request, it is supposed of 
Archbishop Laud, to St. John's College, Oxford ; and 
six years afterwards, the maintenance of the minister 
being but fifty pounds per ann., and there being then 
a thousand communicants, an additional yearly sum 
of fifty pounds was ordered to be paid, (for the in- 
crease of the maintenance) of the rent reserved to the 
dean and chapter of Lincoln, out of the impropriate 
rectory of Langford and Little Farringdon, in this 
county. The revenue has considerably increased by 
various donations, made from time to time. Laud left 
^50 per annum to the vicar as long as he shall reside 
upon the vicarage. The Rev. P. Vaughan bequeathed 
£\0, to be applied to the establishment of daily 
prayers in the afternoon. Mr. Edw. Hungerford lef't 
by will j^200, in trust to the Corporation of Reading, 
to be paid by them to the vicar of St. Lawrence for 
the time being, so long as he shall read the common 
prayer of the Church of England, every day between 
the hours of two and seven o'clock, in person, or by 
his sufficient substitute. Fifty pounds of this sum 
was applied with the approbation of the trustees, &c., 
towards the erecting of the gallery on the north side 



HISTORY OF READING. \ 4S 

of the chiircli, the rent of the pews in which belong^ 
to the vicar. There are various other bequests of tlie 
same nature, as well as sums left for sermons to be 
preached on particular festivals ; part of the interest 
of Mrs. Veasey's legacy of ^805 is appropriated to 
ten poor industrious housekeepers and vvidows, in this 
parish, and not receiving alms, one guinea each ; and 
** two guineas each to two servant-girls of the borough 
of Reading, who have lived two years in one place^ 
and can have a good character from the place they so 
lived in." 





List of Vicars 




Rev. Sir John Seme 


1480 


Chandler A J). 


. 159T 


John Andrews 


1484 


Abraham Grey 


1602 


Nicholas More 


1497 


John Dennison 


1603 


Sir William Symys 


1499 


Theophilus Taylor 


1618 


Thomas Justice 


1504 


Thomas Lloyd, D.B. 


1640 


John Maynesforth 


1529 


John Pordage* 


1645 


John Radley 


1551 


Thomas Gilbertf 


1647 


John Smith 


1574 


Simon Ford;^ 


1651 



* Afterwards Rector of Bradfield in Berks, from which dig- 
nity he was ejected by Cromwell's Commissioners, in 1654^ 
they affirming that he denied the Deity of Christ, and that he 
acknowledged such things respecting spirits, as proved, '* he 
was far gone in one of the most incurable kinds of madness^ 
the frenzy of enthusiasm." He was reinstated in his rectory 
at the Restoration ; and was the author of several dramatic 
pieces, and of a translation of the Troades. 

t Subsequently rector of Edgemont in Salop, his native county^ 
where he was known as Bishop of Shropshire; having become 
an Independent, he was ejected, at the Restoration^ for non- 
conformity, and died in great distress, in 1694. 

X While vicar of St. Lawrence's, Dr. Ford had been very 
active in supporting the election of Colonel Hammond for this 
borough. The colonel was the person to whom Charles I, sur* 
rendered himself, on his retiring from Hampton Court, in 1647; 
the circumstances of Hammond's election may probably amuse 
our readers ; the accoimt we copy is quoted by Coates from a 
small 4to. pamphlet of six pages, published after the proceeding, 
in 1654. 

" The Sheriff of the County having proclaimed the writ for 
summoning a parliament to meet at Westminster, the third of 
September next ; Mr. Frewen, the Mayor of Reading, appointed 
Wednesday, the 2Sth of June last, at ten of the clock, for the 
inhabitants of the said town to meet in the Town Hall, in order 
to the choice of a burgess ; and that at the day and hour afore- 



Thomas Tuer 


1660 


John Brasier 


1671 


Serjeant Hughes 


1679 


Pbanuel Bacon 


1690 


Rev. E. Owen 


1732 


William Bondry 


1733 



144 HISTORY OF RKADINO. 

Thomas Shute, D.D. 1747 

Jeremiah Nicholson, D.D. 1763 
John NichoUs, D.D. 1772 

John Green 1788 

William Wise, D.D. 1812 

~ Mr Man thinks that the foundation of this church 
^ave rise to the g^reat fair held here annually, on St. 
Mathew's day, at which time the parish at its own 
expense, erected a booth, in the Forbury, and received 
the emoluments arising from the price of admission 
to the religious plays that were exhibited on such 

said, the writ for choice should be read. The people met ac- 
cordingly, between nine and- ten of the clock. The mayor and 
aldermen withdrew themselvts in private (as dici appear) to 
chuse a parliament man ; for, as soon as the clock had strucken 
ten, his worship, with all his retinue, came into open court, 
which being full of inhabitants, the crier proclaimed silence, 
then the town-clerk, with an audible voice,' did read the writ 
for the choice of a burgess as aforesaid ; which being done, the 
mayor made a speech to the people ; such a one as it was, how- 
ever, was not much imlike his actions : which speech, (for the 
singularity thereof) I have here inserted ; and it is as foUoweth ; 

<* * Why ! d'ye hear me ? Here is a writ directed to me to 
chuse a burgess to serve in parliament, and we have chosen 
Colonel Hammond, and him we will have, and I will return the 
writ for him.' * What, right or wrong, Mr. Mayor ?' said 
a gentleman that stood by. * I,' said Mr. Mayor, * we have 
chosen him, and we will return the writ for him : and therefore 
you may go home again, (said he to the inhabitants.) Is not 
the writ directed to us ? (said he, meaning himself, and alder- 
men ;) and we have chosen Colonel Hammond, and we will 
have him.' It was then said, that a considerable part of the 
electors excepted against Colonel Hammond, and had madie 
choice of Capt. Castle ; * a man of conscience, wisdom, and 
valour,' and there appeared five to one for Capt. Castle. 

** The Mayor still affirmed that the power of election lay in 
himself and brother aldermen, and refused a poll ; but * drew 
the inhabitants into a field called the Forbury ; and in the said 
field the difference remained, for matter of number, as before 
on Captain Castle's side.' The mayor still refused a poll, and 
returned to the Town Hall, were he took such names as were 
brought him ; * parson Fowler standing up above the people, 
in the mayor's presence, vaunting as in a stage-play, and per- 
suading the people to subscribe for Colonel Hammond.' 

** Such was the election farce of 1654, which has been fre* 
quently since repeated, with all the old dramatis person^B, froipa, 
Mr Mayor down to * parson Fowler.' " 



HISTORY OF READING. 



14^ 



1 


3 


8 








5 





2 











2 








9 








10 








10 








6 



occasions ; and, in support of his opinion, he quotes 
the following entries from the churchwardens' books 
for 1507 :— 

£ s. d. 
Received the Sunday before Bartymass, for the play 

in the For bury ...... 

Received for alder poles, left of the play 

Paid for nails for the sepulchre, and for rosin for the 

resurrection play ...... 

Paid 'a carter for carrying off pipes and hogsheads in 

the Forbury . 

Paid to the labourers in the Forbury for setting up 

the poles for the scaifold 

Paid to the beer man, for beer for the play in the 

Forbury - 

Paid for 2§ ells of crest cloth ** for to mak Eve a 

cote" ,*..,... 

Paid for a book of the resurrection play 

The JMay-day play of this parish appears to have 

been the favourite pageant of Robin Hood and his 

men ; we shall conclude our account of St. Lawrence's 

with a list of the expences incurred on one of these 

occasions. 

Anno, 1499. 

Received for gathering of the May-play, called Ro- 
bin Hood, on the fair day 

Paid for a coat for Robin Hood 

Paid for a supper to Robin Hood and his company, 
w^hen he came from Finchampstead 

Paid for making the church clean, against the day 
of drinking in the said church* » . , 

Paid for flesh, spice, and baking of pasties against 
the said drinking . . . 

Paid for ale at the same drinking , 

Paid for horse-meat to the horses for the kings of 
Colen, on May- day . . . 

Paid for livery, on our fair day 

Anno, 1531, 
Paid for five ells of canvass for a coat for Maid Ma- 
rianf 



16 



4 






2 


9 





1 


6 








6 





1 


4 



1 61 



* This was the church ale, when the principal actors were 
entertained in the church, with the profits arising from the ex- 
hibition. 

f Mr. Douce, the celebrated Antiquary, considers the story 
of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, as a dramatic fiction borrowed 
from a French pastoral drama of the eleventh century, entitled. 

L 



146 HISTORY OF READING, 

Voltaire ascribes to Gregory of Naziansum, a poet 
and father of the church, and, we believe, a canonized 
saint also, the invention of reli^rious plays ; the phi- 
losopher of Fernay relates that Gregory persuaded the 
people of Byzantium to banish from their sta2:e the 
sublime compositions of Sophocles and Euripides, and 
to represent in their place, stories selected from the 
Scriptures, modelled on the plan of the ancient Greek 
tragedv, with the substitution of Christian Hymns for 
the dull and impertinent chorus; the sage of Na- 
ziansum composed several of these sacred dramas, 
but none of them had the success of the (Edipiis and 
Electraj the inestimable remains of the old Greek 
dramatists have been preserved with sacred care ; 
while, of Gregory's pieces there is now only one, 
Christ's Passion, still extant. Fiom the spiritual 
drama of Constantinople, the Italians are supposed to 
have derived, and framed, in the depth uf the dark 
ages, that barbarous species of theatrical repre- 
sentation called Mysteries, or sacred plays. Warton, 
in his history of English poetry, has, however, sug- 
gested, that these dramas were composed, not for the 
theatres of Constantinople, to expel their rightful 
lords, Sophoeles, Euripides, and Menander, but for 
the Christian schools,, into which were introduced a 
sacred Homer, (that is to say, an Old Testament, as 
far as life of Saul, thrown into hexameters) — a sacred 
Pindar, — and a sacred Plato^ (into an imitation of 
whose dialogues the gospels were cast), as well as 
sacred dramas on scriptural su])jects ; be this as it 
may, the invention of religious dramatic poetry is of 

^ Le Jen du Berger et de la Bergere^ There is, however, a 
zealous host of antiquaries who maintain, on the other hand, 
that Marian was the assumed name of Matilda, daughter of 
Baron Fitzwalter. This lady, according to the more approved 
legend, married Robin Hood, the outlawed Earl of Huntingdon, 
in order to escape the dishonourable offers of King John. On 
the death of her husband she retired to the Priory at Little 
Dunmow, where she died, through wearing a poisoned bracelet, 
sent to her by the revengeful monarch for the purpose of des- 
troying her. Her tomb is still shewn at the priory j it consists 
of an alabaster effigy reposing on a grey slab. The face, though 
much disfigured, is said to bear traces of its forme? beauty,. 



W 



HISTORY OF READING. 147 

Still earlier date ; the Hindoos liad, centuries before 
this, their loii^ and heavy plays performed only on 
their religious festii^als, and the same fact is well 
known with recfard to the Athenians. The Jews them- 
selves had subjects from the Bible exhibited in the 
dramatic form: part of a Jewish piece, taken from 
Exodus, is preserved in Greek iambics, written by 
one Ezekiel, who stiles himself the poet of the 
Hebrews. It forms, however, no part of our present 
task to trace the origin and continuance of this subject 
in other nations; it will be sufficient as a passsing 
illustration of some of the entries made in our church 
bocks, to notice its appearance and sojourn among 
ourselves. The sacred Christian drama then, is with 
just probability supposed to have arisen in England, 
simultaneously with most of the other European 
countries, out of the strong religious excitement, the 
revival, in modern phrase, which prevailed at the time 
of the first crusades ; " the sacred enthusiasm which 
had seized all orders, sought out every possible means 
of awakening, of communicating, of maintaining its 
contageous influence over the universal soul of man. 
Of the clergy, the pious hailed, with devout joy this 
golden opportunity of propagating the saving doctrines 
of the cross; the worldly, that of more strongly 
rivetting on the very heart of man their own spiritual 
influence.'* This species of representation was, in 
fact, the only means possessed by the clergy of the 
period, of teaching the scriptures to a population that 
could not read ; and the pieces, written by men nearly 
as illiterate as the audience they addressed, abound 
with inconsistencies and anachronisms, and make 
such work of geography as would puzzle Mr. Arrow- 
smith himself; being performed, generallyln churches 
and almost always by monks, they were listened to 
with attention and respect; it is easy to imagine their 
effect; they taught the facts of Christianity, but 
nothing of its doctrines ; men came to them and 
bovved at the antics of some buffoon, ere they had 
well done weeping at the sufferings of our Saviour ; 
they saw Judas hanged, and clapped their hands ; 
they gazed with reverence at a representation of the 

L 2 



^^B HISTORY OF READING. 

last day, made the si^n of the cross, and thought 
themselves instructed. 

At the period of the reformation relisfious plays 
were produced for the purpose of encouras^ing- or con<. 
demning the establishment of protestantism; in some 
of these productions, Luther and his wife were exhi- 
bited in the niost unfavourable colours that party 
spirit and furious zeal could invent, while the oppo.site 
?ide brought forth, partly miracle, partly moral plays, 
written in a ''king- Cambyses rein," avowedly to 
favour the cause of the reformation. The latter were 
applauded to the echo during- the reign of Henry VIll, 
but the old orthodoxy got their revenge under liia 
successor, when the revival of miracle plays was 
encouraged, and severe inhibitions issued against'the 
representation of farcical interludes caricaturing the 
Romish clergy; the protectants, however, re assumed 
their, licence in the reign of Elizabeth, when they 
patronised the Moralities, the introduction of alle- 
gorical personages into the scriptural drama, a species 
of composition which, dull as it was, though perhaps 
useful and interesting at the time, soon superseded in 
popularity, the strictly religious dramas of the former 
generation; the Moralities, when they had enjoyed 
their full share of popular approbation, gave way in 
their turn to the intellectual and instructive drama, 
that maybe said to owe its invention to Marlowe, and 
its perfection to Shakspeare. The splendid shows of 
Robin Hood, and the Kings of Cologne, however, 
retained their powers of attraction to a very late periodi 
Bishop Latimer relates the following incident re- 
specting the former pageant, in one of his sermons 
preached before Edward VI. " Coming to a certain 
town, on a holiday, to preach, I found the church 
door fast locked : I tarried there half an hour and 
more, and at last the key was found, and one of the 
parishioners comes to me, and says, 'Sir, this is a 
busy day with us, we cannot hear you ; it is Robin 
Hood's day, the parish are gone abroad to gather for 
Robin Hood; I pray you let (hinder) them not.' I 
thought my rochet would have been regarded, but it 
would not serve, it was fain to give place to Robin 



mSTORY OF READING. 549 

Hood and liis men." In the entry in the al)ove list, 
mentioning the disbursement of sixpence for pro- 
vision for the horses of " the Kings of Colen,'^ Mr. 
Man thinks Coates wrong in supposing it refers to the 
celebrated show of the Wise Men, but fancies it is an 
allusion to the King of Coley, or person who had 
g'ained the title by his success that year in shooting at 
the Butts; but there appears no reason for doubting 
what the latter gentleman has advanced respecting the 
derivation of the title, he has copied the entry from 
the church-wardens book in its original spelling, 
" Kings of Colen ,•" this Mr. Man lias transcribed 
** King of Coley," a material alteration; injustice to 
Mr. M. however, we may mention, that the pageant 
of the Kings was probably never performed but at 
Easter, Christmas, an4 Corpus Christi day, which, if 
such were the fact, rather favours his supposition of 
tlie entry alluding to a King of Coley, or at least to 
sonie successful competitor in archery. May-day being 
one of the great shooting holidays. The religious 
pageant of the Kings, was in honour of the three 
wise men of the East, who visited our Saviour, at his 
birth; their bones, we are told, were brought to 
Constantinople, by Helena, the indefatigabfc and 
ubiquitous mother of Constantine ; they were sub- 
sequently transported to Milan, by Eustorpius, the 
bishop of that see, and finally deposited at Cologne 
by Archbishop Rainold. They lie in the cathedral of 
St. Peter, in a large purple shrine spangled with gold, 
set upon a brazen pedestal, wdthin a square mausoleum 
of marble and jasper. Their names Gasper, Melchion, 
and Balthazar, are inscribed in purple characters, on 
a small grate, ornamented with an immense number 
of large rich pearls and precious stones, among which 
is an oriental topaz, the size of a pigeon's Q^^gy and of 
the value of 30,000 crowns ; the head of each king 
bears a golden crown, decorated with costly jewels ; 
the whole is lit up by a profusion of wax candles, in 
silver branches, which burn night and day; and is 
opened for inspection and worship every morning at 
nine o'clock, provided two canons of the cathedral be 



150 HISTORY OF READING. 

present who may watch over tlie safety of this great 
lion of Cologne.* 

All traces of these exhibitions are now lost among" 
us, but the sacred drama still flourishes in Catholic 
countries, either on the stage, (where the Testament 
is nightly turned into melo-dramas, and listened to, 
as we can assert in our own experience, with eager- 
ness), or among the puppet-shows, where they trifle 
with serious subjects, still more indecently. IVJr. 
Gifford in a note to his beautiful edition of Jonson, 
says : "1 have seen, in one of the chief cities in France, 
the Crucifixion played by puppets, and though the 
>sigjit was inexpressibly revolting, I could not perceive 
that the people, who were probably accustomed to it, 
were either shocked or disgusted." Racine's Athalie 
and Esther^ and the Giuseppe^'^ of Metastasio, are 
familiar to us, rather as sacred poems than acting 
plays; there has been a dramatic piece represented in 
our own age, the subject of which was scriptural, but 
whose name and scene of action were changed in 
respect to the feelings of a protectant country; the 
piece was Pietro UEremita which attracted multitudes, 
not half of whom were conscious, they were witnessing 
Rossini's splendid opera of Mose in Egitto. 

* The sanctity of the Kings of Cologne is thus referred to, 
in " Gammer Gurton's Needle," that remarkably delicate 
Comedy said to have been written by Still, who was afterwards 
Bishop of Bath and Wells, 

*' 1 will have you swere by our dere lady of Bullainef 
Saint Dunstone and Saint Dennykcy with the three 

Kings of Kullain, 
That ye shall keep it secret. "-^ii. 2» «. 2^ 



mSTORY OF REAIJING. 151 

ST. GILES'S CHURCH, &c. 

The parish of St. Giles is the most extensive of the 
three parishes into which this borough is divided ; it 
includes the hamlet of Whitley, but the united popu- 
lation does not materially exceed that either of St. 
Mary's or St. Lawrence's. It consists of 2,273 acres, 
of which, 1,014, having been formerly the property of 
Reading Abbey, are not chargeable with tithe. Out 
of the number of acres tithe-free, 1 12 are within the 
boundary of the corporation, and 902 are in the 
hamlet of \Miitley, where the abbey had consider- 
able possessions, obtained by donation or purchase.* 
Whitley is assessed to the poor and church-rates of 
this parish, but not being within the jurisdiction of 
the corporation, it comes under the cognizance of the 
county magistrates ; the inhabitants of the hamlet 
attempted some year.s ago, by a law suit, to separate 
themselves from the other part of the parish, with re- 
gard to the maintenance of the poor, but the attempt 
was unsuccessful, and it has not, we believe, beea 
since repeated.f 

The parish of St. Giles is bounded, on the north, by 
that of St. Lawrence ; and on the south, by Shinfield; 
^t. Mary's parish lies on the west ; and its eastern 

* At the time of the dissolution, the manor was valued at the 
annual rent of £26. 18s. 4(?., and the ajustment of the park, at 
£3. (See page 88.) Whitley contained also, extensive pleasure 
grounds, and fish ponds, which are now occupied by a farm, 
Uueen Mary granted the manor to Sir Francis Englefield. 
^ueen Elizabeth, by her charter, gave 50 oaks out of the park^ 
to the corporation of Reading, and granted the rest of the estate 
to Sir Fmncis and Dame Catherine Knoilys ; At has passed, 
succesively, into the possession of several families, and is now 
the property of Lady Milman, 

t It was ordered by the magistrates, at the quarter sessions 
for the County of Berks, April 23rd, 1649, "that the inha- 
bitants within the liberty of Wliitley shall, according to a 
former order, pay the yearly sum of one and twenty pounds, 
four shillings, and four pence, monthly apportioned according 
to the statute, for the relief of the poor in the parish of St. 
Giles ; and that the inhabitants of the said parish, within the 
-said borough, shall pay the yearly sum of thirty and five 
pounds." 



152 HISTORY OF READING. 

boundary is formed by Sonninj^ . or, according* to Mr. 
Man's more detailed notice of its situation, ** it is si- 
tuated on the south side of the river Kennet, and is 
connected with the other parishes by the Hi^h-bridge, 
and Seven-bridges. There are two small islands be- 
longing to this parish, on the river Kennet ; that, on 
the west side of High-bridge, is seperated from ISt. 
Lawrence's parish, by a water-course branching out 
above the pound-lock, which, after passing under the 
north end of the Bear Inn, takes the name of the 
Black ditch, and re-enters the Kennet on the north 
east end of the Island. The other commences at the 
above mentioned lock, and extends easterly as far as 
the mill; it is divided from the main land on the 
north by the navigable branch of the river, and on the 
south by the mill stream." 

It lias been remarked that wherever there is a 
church dedicated to St. Giles, in a town, it is situated 
at one end of it ; alluding, it is supposed to the con- 
duct of the holy iEgidius, as the saint is otherwise 
called, who used to dwell in some suburb to avoid 
public notice, and perform his cures and miracles 
upon the afflicted poor and desolate. Such is in some 
measure the situation of the church in this parish. 
The period of its erection is not known, but its site 
was probably beyond the town, a characteristic which 
no longer distinguishes it, as houses lengthening into 
streets have gradually encompassed it on all sides. 

The church, in its old state, consisted of a nave 
and side aisles divided by arches supported by mas- 
sive pillars ; the pillars and arches were of chalk, and, 
on removing the former, during the repairs and im- 
pro?ements made under the present rector, they were 
discovered to stand on the gravel without any other 
foundation. A very large sum was expended, some 
years ago, in casing the weaker parts of some pillars 
which supported the roof on the north side, and, 
which had been observed to decline very consideral^ly 
from their original perpendicular direction. In its 
present state the church consists of three aisles, the 
side ones being separated from the centre by three 
pointed arches divided by two light cluster<?d columns. 



HISTORY oiF HEADING. 15S 

Tlie o"al]cry interferes with the otherwise agreeable 
effect of this style, as it is hebdagonal, and one of its 
sides occupies an arch of each aisle; the eighth side, 
which would complete the octaoonal appearance of 
the interior, being formed by a recess leading to the 
altar. The pews partake of the disposition of the 
gallery, and are so arranged that the congregation 
form nearly a circle round the minister. 

In 1784,* a gallery was built, by subscription, over 
the chancel, as the church was not found sufficiently 
large to accommodate the vast increase the congre- 
gation received when Mr. Cadogan held the living; 
but it was removed during the late alterations. Pre- 
vious to the reign of Elizabeth, there were four 
images here, viz: thorie of St. Giles, St. Christopher, 
St. Mary, and St. John, with an altar dedicated 
to the latter saint, and the usual high altar; these 
were removed in 1560, when the pulling down the 
images cost the small sum of four-pence, and two 
shillings and eight-pence were disbursed for destroy- 
ing the altars and carting away the rubbish; an 
additional penny being paid, the same year, for white 

* A. D. 1784. — This year a gallery was built 
by subscription, and charitable collections by 
Mr. Romaine. The subscription amounted to 
the sum of*- - - - - - £456 05. 8|(?. 

— Churchwardens^ Book. 

Mr. Cecil, in his life of Mr, Cadogan, says that the latter 
gentleman proposed taking down entirely at his own charge, an 
irregular and decayed part of the church, and rebuilding it so 
as to correspond with the opposite aisle, and to afford much 
additional room. But the offer was rejected because it was 
suspected that after Mr. Cadogan's death, there would be more 
t'lan sufficient room for all comers, and that the alteration 
would encrease the expense of future repairs, for which con- 
tingency Mr. Cadogan in vain offered to secure an adequate 
annual sum from his own property. He, however, made himself 
accountable for the whole expense of the new gaUery, which 
went nearly round the church ; * ' though afterwards it was 
chiefly defrayed by voluntary subscription." In 17S9 the con- 
gregation was so increased, that the church, with its -additional 
gallery was found insufficient to contain the numbers who sought 
admittance ; "application was made therefore for 'a further 
enlargement, the expense of which, Mr. C. undertook to defray, 
but the vestry refused to admit it." 



154 HISTORY OF READING. 

limiiifi^ the rood. In 1519, the sum of nine poiincis 
was paid for an or^-an, and the salary of the player, 
according to Mr, Coales's coj)yof the churchwardens 
books, was. in 1543, four pounds four shillings per 
annum, and in the following year, four pounds ten; 
\ while our other local historian, Mr. Man, notices, as 
/ a proof of the great value of circulating coin at this 
period, that the annual salary of the organist was 
only three shillings and four-pence. We are not able 
to reconcile these two adverse statements, but we are 
V inclined to believe in Mr. Man's, because we find that 
the priest of Jesus's mass received in one of the above 
years, thirteen shillings and four-pence *' towards his 
wages for a year." which sum probably formed nearly 
the whole of his annual remuneration, and we can 
with difficulty believe that the organist received a so 
much higher stipend than even one of the subordinate 
ministers.* The singers in the choir were paid thirteen 
and four-pence, yearly, and the clerk, who also taught 
"the children for the quere," received twelve shil- 
lings; 1578 the organ was taken down, and the pipes 
sold for a pound sterling; the present instrument is 
nearly new and of a very fine tone. The church was 
furnished with a clock prior to 1518; and in 1583 
a clock with chimes, those ^* corals for grown gen- 
tlemen," was put up, which cost three pounds, six 
shillings, and eight pence, and which was replaced 
by a new one, after the lapse of a century and a 
quarter, towards the expence of which, the parish 
subscribed eleven pounds, twelve shillings and three- 
pence. These chimes were removed in 1790, when 
the bells were recast, and their number reduced to 
seven, as the tower was not considered sufficiently 
strong to support the weight of a greater number. 
During the seige of the town in 1643, by the parlia- 
mentary forces, the king's soldiers placed some artil- 
lery on the summit of the tower, which speedily caused 
the destruction of the latter, for the ordinance was so 
well directed and proved so galling to the besiegers, 
that they raised a battery against it^ and soon reduced 
* A.D. 1524. To the organ player, for his wages £o 13 4. — 

Churchwardens' Bookc 



HISTORY OF READING, 155 

it to a heap of rubbish. After the siej^e it was re- 
paired in a very imperfect manner, but its appearance 
was, subsequently, much improved, and a gothic 
porch, of no particular beauty however, added to the 
entrance ; it now forms a square building, with c^ra- 
duated buttresses at the angles, and an embattled roof, 
with low pinnacles ; its height is fifty-four feet, and it 
is crowned by a spire, which was erected in 1790, at 
the expence of ^5/3 \9s. Od. it is of Riga fir, covered 
with copper, and has an elevation of rather more than 
70 feet. The churchwarden's books for 1720, contain, 
an entry of two pounds sterling being paid for a dove 
under the canopy, and ^'3 \7s. for *' the gilt angel, 
brass lock, and bolt.'' In 1593, when ministers used 
hour glasses, and preached against time, the parish 
paid OS. for a candlestick and branch, ** to set the 
hour glass on ;'' but these have long since disappeared. 
Over the altar was formerly three windows of pointed 
architecture, with mouldings of small saxon pillars; 
but these have been removed and one large elegant 
stained glass window substituted, at an expence of 
upwards of ^600, which sum was raised by sub- 
scription, and to which the present vicar contributed 
liberally. There are no monuments of any general 
interest ; but there is a marble tablet, the simple detail 
on which is very affecting; it is erected to the me- 
mory of eight children of the "Reverend Haviland, 
John Hiley and Eleanor his wife,'' who, out of a 
family o f nine children, lost all but one before they 
attained the age of twenty-five ; some of them, indeed, 
according to the memorial on the stone, died at a 
very tender age, happily for them ; for as the inscrip- 
tion on the tablet ends, " of such is the kingdom of 
heaven." The vestry which formerly stood at the 
north-west corner of the church is now on the north 
side of the chancel ; over the old vestry there was a 
room containing a small collection of divinity and 
classics, the gift of the Reverend Phillip V'aughan. 
The books and catalogue were arranged, and rescued 
from the damp, and the room repaired, in 1780, by 
Mr. Cadogan, at his own expence ; they were again 
removed, during the alterations, (almost rebuilding, 



156 HISTORY OF READING. 

indeed,) of this ehurcli, made since the Reverend H. R. 
Duckintield became Vicar, but we are not aware where 
they are now deposited. V^ol. 3, of Mas^na Britannia^ 
mentions a legacy of books, bequeathed to this church 
by Mr. William Jemmat, but the bequest has been 
lost. In the churchwardens' accounts for 1640, are 
mentioned ** Two books of Martyrs, upon frames, 
the gift of Mr. W. Jemmatt, rt^ctor of this church." 
One of the brass chandeliers was presented for the 
use of the cono-regation, in 1640, by Alice Clark, as 
the inscription on it testifies ; the other is inscribed, 
** The gift of a friend, A.D. 1784, when the galleries 
were erected in this church.''* 

The brick walls on the north and east sides of the 
church yard, were built in 1622; there was also a wail 
on the west side, next the high road, a-t a much earlier 
date, and which was strengthened with buttresses in 
1592 ; as this wall, however, protruded into the road, 
considerably beyond the present line of foot-path, it 
was taken down a few years ago, part of the church 
yard cut off, and the remainder enclosed by a hand- 
some iron railing; "the ex pence of this improvement 
was defrayed by a general substription among all the 
inhabitants of the town, who rightly considered that 
whatever embellishments are made in either of the 
parishes, tends equally to the pleasure and conveni- 
ence of the whole body of the inhabitants." In 1819 
a piece of ground was purchased on the west side of 
Horn-street, opposite the church, and consecrated a« 
a new burial ground. 

The following extracts from the churchwardens' 
accounts will serve to shew at what periods this edifice 
lias undergone important repairs :— 

1628. For *' new building and making arches and pillars on 
the soiith side of the middle range of the church," and for re- 
paration of the whole church : — 

Reed, upon the nine months' tax withinthe town £38 4 
Item — Reed, upon the ratements at Whitley . 4 5 

1654. In this and the following year, the north side of the 
church, with the south and west porches, were repaired. 

* Gas being now used in lighting the church, the chandeliers 
have been removed. 



HISTORY OF READING. W? 

1788. In this and the following; year, were collected by a rate 
of one shilling in the pound, for the repairs of the church, the 
sumof £284 55. 6d, 

The last repairs, as we have previously noticed, were 
made under the present Vicar, and the appearance of 
the old church has consequently been not only ma- 
terially changed, but also materially improved. 

In the terrier, delivered at the primary visitation 
of Shute, Bishop of Salisbury, in 1783, there is said 
to be a certain salary of ^26 3.9. Id, arising from lands, 
houses, and quit-rents in the parish, appropriated for 
keeping the church in repair : the writings concern- 
ing which are in the custody of the churchwardens, 
*' who are also charged with the repair of the edifices, 
and the church-yard fence." The whole of the glebe 
is about half an acre of garden attached to the vicar- 
age house, which is situated on the south side of the 
cemetery, and is a commodious building, which has, 
from time to time, been considerably enlarged and 
improved. 

** During^ the papal hierarchy, sanctuaries were 
attached to many of our churches^ and scarcely any 
towaof consequence was without one of these places 
of refuge, from whence malefactors of every descrip- 
tion could bid defiance to the laws, with impunity : 
and so sacred were those receptacles considered at 
that time, that no one, not even the monarch on the 
throne dared to violate them, however tyrannical in 
disposition and conduct towards his subjects on other 
occasions. One of those places, and probably united 
to the privileges of this church, was, in what is now 
called the Crown-lane ; how far it extended is uncer- 
WAn ; but it is not unlikely that it included the whole 
space between that lane and the church-yard." The 
inviolability of sanctuaries was not, however, so 
strictly observed at all times, as the above extract in- 
timates.. The most ancient asylum of the sort, in this 
country, was the Abbey church of Westminster, made 
so by Edward the Confessor ; but Henry V^llI did 
not scruple to deny the privilege to persons guilty of 
capital offences, and made it available to others only 
<luring the space of forty days, at the end of which 



158 HISTORY OF READING,^ 

time, the refusfees were obliged either to abide the 
course of the luw, or leave the realm. In fact means 
were always found to make the privilege useless, wlien 
the stronger powers were so inclined : in the troubled 
reign of Richard II. , Shackel was seized before the 
altar, at Westminster, and his friend Hanle slain in 
the choir, for refusing to give up a prisoner to John, 
Duke of Lancaster. A few years after. Chief Justice 
Trysillian, the defender of the rights of Richard II., 
was torn from the sanctuary, by the turbulent barons, 
and hanged at Tyburn. Edward V. was born in the 
Abbot's house, at Westminster^ where his mother 
Elizabeth had sought refuge ; that unhappy v;oman 
was in the same sanctuary when she was compelled to 
abandon her children to the protectorship of Richard 
III. It is probable that the privilege of asylum, pos- 
sessed by the church of St. Giles, extende<( only to 
debtors, and perhaps to persons guilty of misdemean- 
ors. The sanctuary for life was never held by a 
church, if there was an abbey in the same town ; in 
such a case the monastery would claim the right of 
throv^'ing its mantle of protection round the capita 
offender, as long as he had means to pay for it ; but 
his security always decreased iu proportion as his 
finances failed. 

Rent Roll of St. Giles'' Parish^ taken in 1518. 

Quit Remits, £ s. d. 

For a tenement on the west side of London- street, 

for a year L 

Ditto on the same side, between Mill-lane on the 
north side, and the tenement of T. Pockeridge on 

the south side 6 

The tenement annexed 0^ 

A tenement on the same side . . . .010 

Ditto ditto . . . . . . .003 

Ditto ditto 16 

Ditto next to the tenement of the Abbot and Con- 
vent of Reading 13 

Ditto annexed, now in the hands of the Church- 
wardens . .002 

A tenement on the same side, next to the void 

ground of the Abbot and Convent . . .002 

A tenement on the same side . . . .002 

A tenement on the west side of Syviar-street . 6 



IirSTORY OF READING • 1'59 

The ^^ronnd annexed, late a tenement . . .008 
A tenement on the same siile . . . .002 

A tenement on the east side of London -street, next 

the tenement of the Abbot and Convent . .003 
A tenement on the same side, next the tenements of 

the Abbot and Convent, on the north and south 1 
A tenement on the same side, between W. GoLlore, 
priest, and the tenement of the Abbot and Convent 2 

A tenement annexed 2 

Ditto 002 

Of the Abbot and Convent for a tenement on the 

same side . . . . . . .001 

A tenement annexed., between the tenement of the ^ 

Abbot and Convent, on the south, and the tene- 
ment called the Hind's Head, for a year . . i 
A tenement annexed, called the Hind's Head .006 

Of the Abbot and Convent," for the tenement annex- 
ed, called The Cage . . . . . ,001 

A plot of land on the south side of Mill-lane .010 

A tenement next the flood-gates, on the north side 

of Mill-lane .006 

A void ground on the north side of the same lane .001 
A tenement on the west side of the Old-street, next 

Catels -grove gates* 1^ 

Of the sub-chamberer of the Abbey, for a tenement 

in Minster -street-f- 4 

Of the Abbot and Convent, for a tenement on the 

east side of London-street, called the White Horse 1 
Of the said Abbot for a tenement on the south side 

of the same street, called the George . .013 

Ofthesaid Abbot, for a tenement called Pollard's sett I 2 
Of Thomas Beke, gent, for three tenements , ' , 2 10 

A garden in Syvier-street .1 

An acre of land in Orleugh-field . . . .001 

£0 16 11 

Rents, 

A tenement on the east side of Syvier-street, next 

the lands of the Abbot and Convent . . .048 
A tenement on the same side, next the ground of 

the Abbot and Convent . , . . .076 
A tenement on the west side of the same street .060 

Ditto 0-.6 > 

Of W. Green, the priest, for a tenement on the west / 

side of London -street 8 

* In Coates's extracts from the church register, this tene- 
ment is charged 6d. 
t Or, according to Coates, 45, 



r60 HISTORY OF READINGc. 

A tenement on the same side, next the tenement be- 
longing to the alms house . . . . . 8 (J^ 
For certain tenements on the same side, called the 

Rents - - - - . - - -100 
For a tenement on the west side of the Olde-street 4 
For a tenement annexed, and joining to the ground 

called the Gravel pit 7 

A, tenement on the east side of the Olde-street, be- 
tween the ground of the vicarage on the north, 
and a tenement on the south . . , . 10 6 

£i i s" 
Mr. Man thinks that the small proportion of free- 
hold estates within the town, is explained by the re- 
peated mention, in the above Rent Roll, of tenements 
belon^infif to the Abbot and Convent ; all whose pos- 
sessions devolved to' the crovv^n at the dissolution. 

A short time previous to the year 1599, some 
charitable bequests were left to the church of St. 
Giles, consisting of messuages, yearly rents, heredita- 
ments, &c., the profits of which, it was intended by 
the bequeatherS; should be appropriated to the repairs 
of the church, and the maintenance of the bells and 
seats there, and that if any overplus remained, it 
should be applied to the relief of the poor of the 
parish. These legacies were, accordingly, for many 
years, put in use, and executed, agreeably to the 
wills of the testators, till about the period above 
mentioned they were claimed by a certain Jeffery 
Cowper, an inhabitant of the parish, and who had 
formerly served the office of churchwarden, under the 
pretence that these messuages, rents, and premises, 
known by the appellation of the Church Lands, were 
concealed from the Queen's Majesty, and having got 
a great part of them conveyed to himself, he threat- 
ened suit for the same, if his title to them were op- 
posed. There was a difficulty in disproving his claim, 
as many of the original deeds of gift, and other papers, 
of considerable importance to the evidence had been 
stolen from a chesi in the vestry room. 

There was an act, however, passed in the 39th of 
Queen Elizabeth, entitled *' an act to reform deceits 
and breaches of trust touching lands given to charit- 
able uses ;*' and this case concerning the Church 



HISTORY OF READING. 161 

Lands of St. Giles, came before the commissioners 
appoint ed to put the act in force. The commission 
which sat at Newbury, consisted of Sir Thomas Parry, 
Sir Hinnphry Forster, Edmund Farriplace, Esq., Read 
Stufford, Esq., and some others, and their duty was to 
enquire, by a jury, what lands, tenements, leases,, 
^'oods, chattels, and sums of money, or other thinjjs, 
had, at any time before, been given by any persons,, 
to and for the relief and maintenance of the poor 
within the county of Berks; and whether theybad been 
employed according to the intention of the founders 5 
an exemplification of the letters patent granting* the 
commission remains hi the custody of the church- 
wardens of St. Giles, and the presentment which the 
jurors returned to this parish,, is also preserved; among 
Its records. 

The jury found that there were eleven messuages,^ 
&c., situated in London-street, Sievyer-street, and 
Horn-street or Old-street, with the sum of eleven 
shillings and five pence of annual rents arising from 
other messuages tlien in the tenure of various persons 
in the above streets ; and that they had been given and 
conveyed to certain persons, (with whose names the 
jiury were not acquainted) for the charitable purposes 
we have already mentioned, and that they had been, 
so appropriated till the new claim to them was raised 
by Mr. JefFery Cowper, in order to defraud the said 
charitable uses, and make undue gain to himself. 
This award ivas entirely adverse to the alleged right 
of Xht ijuondum churchwarden ; and the commission 
at Newbury issued a decree in accordance with it,: 
directing that the several bequests of lands, tene- 
ments, and hereditaments, called by the name of the 
Churcli Lands, should for ever continue to be em- 
ployed agreeably to the intentions of the original 
testators, and in no other way. As it also appeared 
to the commissioners, from the evidence of witnesses, 
and the production of various documents, as well as 
from views of the ancient register book of the church, 
that the churchwardens had possessed an uncontrolled 
management over these lands, tenements, &c., and 
had exercised, as owners, the power of letting them 

M 



1C2 HJ3T0RY OF READING. 

aiid had-o^iven up all the profits arising- from, them ta 
the appropriation for which they were orii^inally des- 
tined, it was the opinion of the said commissioners 
that the churchwardens were a corporation by pre- 
scription, capable of estatCi^ of lands, to the said 
church, as well as floods ; but, in decreeinii^ their fn- . 
ture agency, neither they nor their successors wcie. 
allowed to ^Tant any lease, ** or demise of tlie same, 
or any part thereof," for a lonsfer period than twenty- 
one years, Jii possession, and not in reversion ; and' 
they were not aut]u)ri3ed to make a lease even foe 
tlr^t term, without previously obtainint^ the consent 
of a majority of the head burlinesses and second bur- 
gesses of the borough, who were resident within the 
parish ; which consent was to be registered, and pre- 
served with a covenant of the lease, &c., as future 
evidence, in case of need, of the property of the said 
lands. Tlie churchwardens were further ordered to 
account fofr the fines, rents, and other profits, annu- 
ally before the parishioners, as they had been before 
accustomed to do ; and the decree empowered the 
in ayor, on the refusal of a churchwarden to produce 
his accounts, or to pay his arrears, if any should ex- 
ist on his going out of ofBce,> or on his being proved 
to have been negligent of his trust, to commit him to 
prison till such arrears were paid, and till he had 
given due satisfaction for every other abuse of which 
lie might be justly charged., Such is the substance of 
the decree, made at Newbury, the 18th day of Aprils 
in the 41st year of Queen Elizabeth ; and, in accor- 
dance, with the orders and directions it contained,. 
William Malthus and Wii'iam Bennett, then church- 
wardens, gave their consent, and granted new leases 
to the several tenants. 

The presentation to the living of St. Giles, is in the 
Lord Chancjgllor ; it is valued, in the King's books, 
at <^14 17a'. 3hd , and the yearly tenths, ixt d!i 9s. 8Jr/. 
I'he revenues of the vicarage are principally derived 
from the great and small tythes of the lands within 
the parish and hamlet of Whitley, ** a very small pro- 
portion only of the original possessions of the abbey 
i^eing tithe-free j" the vicar' being entitled, also^. to 



HISTORY OF READING, 163) 

the Easter offerino-s. surplice fees, &c. The ap-: 
pointment of the clerk rests with the vicar, but he. 
IS paid hy the parish, and by the usual fees and pur<« 
quisites of office. 

List of the Vicars. 
Under the Patronage of the Abbot and Convent, 



Walter de Holme 


1326 


Thomas Wyland 


1463^ 


John Crowe 


1329 


Robert Gle\Ti 




Phillip Leverech 


1334 


William Edyndon 


1493 


John Ymmere 


1388 


John Enon 


1520 


William Sandford 


1417 


Richard Snow 


1533 


John Sandford 


1419 


John More 


1540^ 


John Smyth 


1449 


John Emery 


1548 


R()bert Brown 


1457 


William Webb 


1551 


John Walbrond 


14£2 






Under the Pair mage of the Crown, 




John Walton 


1561 


William Jemmatt 


1648 


Maurice Vaughan 


1569 


William Richards 


1676 


Edward Young 


1572 


Samuel Torrent 


1712 


E^lward Martin 




Whiting Colton 


1730' 


William Burton 


1591 


Hon, James Yorke 


1756 


John Denison 


1602 


William Talbot 


1768^ 


Samuel RadclilTe 


1614 


Hon.W. Bt Gadogan 


1775 


Hugh Dicas 


1616 


Joseph Evre 


1797-- 


William Wild 


1642 


Hen. Rob, Dukinfield 


1816 



Very few of the.above attained any extended cele- 
brity, tlieir reputation beino* for the. most part con- 
fined within the sphere of their active duties. Wm. 
Burton (1591) who was a native of Winchester, and 
uiinister of a church in Bristol, before he had the 
vicarage of St. Giles, was the author of some Ser- 
mons, and of an Exposition of the Lord's Prayer, 
published in 1594, 

IFilliam, or George, Wild obtained the vicara^-e oF 
St. Giles, throufi^h the patronage of Archbishop Laud, 
to whom he was chaplain. He was appointed to 
preach before the King and Court, at Oxford, during 
the civil wars ; and the degree of D.C.L. was the re- 
ward of his labours there. In 1648 he was deprived" 
of his fellowship by the parliamentary visitors, Avhen 
he repaired to London, and kept up a religious meet-, 
incr for the royalists, in Fleet-street. At the restora-. 
tion he was promoted to the see of Londonderry:, 
where his pietv, his virtues^ and his public spirit/ 

M 2 ' 



164 HISTORY OF READING, 

gained for him tlie approbation of all men who were 
fortunate enoiiah to become acquainted with him. 
He (lied at Dublin, in 1665; and his remains are 
deposited in the cathedral there. His literary pro- 
ductions are *' The Hospital of Lovers," a comedy, 
acted in the presence of their majesties, at Oxford, 
but never printed ; a Latin comedy, entitled, '* Her- 
moplus," never piinted ; and various Sermons and 
Pamphlets. 

William Jemmatt, was a native of this town, and was 
educated in Reading school ; before he took the co- 
venant, and was appointed vicar of St. Giler, he had 
been a preacher at Lechlade, iu Gloucestershire ;. 
minister of Nettlested, in Kent; a licensed lecturer at 
Islevvorth, in Middresex, during fourteen years ; and 
chaplain to the Earl of Northumberland. He died, at. 
an advanced age, on the 26th of January, 1677, ^nd' 
was buried in the chancel of St. Giles on the3lst of- 
the same month ; to which church he bequeathed a 
valuable legacy of books. His works are ** Sermons; 
London, 1623." ** An Abridgement of Dr. J. Preston's 
AVorks; London, 1648 and 1658." '' An Exposition of 
the Historical Prophecy of Joaab ; London, 1666." 
** Now and Ever;" the same year; He also edited- 
Thomas Taylor's Five Sermons on occasion of the 
Gunpowder Plot, and edited and corrected three other 
works by the same author, (who was brother to Theo- 
philus Taylor, vicar of St. Lawrence) entitled, ** Piaiu; 
and Pithy Exposition of the Twelfth Chapter of St. 
John's Revelution^" "Christ Revealed," and *^ A Com- 
mentary on the Epistle of Paul to Titus ;" to all of 
which he prefixed introductory epistles. His remain- 
ing productions were a translation into Latin, not 
completed, of Dr. Thomas Goodwin's Works; and. some 
sermons. Mr. Coates notices another work of ThomaS: 
Taylor, (who was &urnamed the illuminated Doctor) 
which, he says, has escaped the notice of the industri- 
ous Wood; the title page is a treatise per se; it runs 
thus: — '^The Parable oif the Sower and the Seed; de- 
claring in four several grounds, among other things : 
1, how far a hypocrite may go in the way towards 
lieaven, and wherein the sound christian goeth beyond 



ttlf^TOKY OF READiXG. 165 

him: and 2, in the last and best ground, largely dis- 
foursetU of a sfood heart, describing' it by very many 
•signs of it, digested into a familiar method : which of 
itself is an entire treatise; and also, 3, from the con- 
stant fruit of the good ground, justifieth the doctrine 
of the perseverance of saints, oppugneth the fifth 
-article of the late Arminians, and shortly and plainly 
answereth their most colourable arguments and eva- 
sions. By Thomas Taylor, late Fellow of Christ's 
College, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Word of 
'Ood, at Reading, inBarkshire; &c.'' Wecopy part of 
the dedication to the Mayor (W. Bateman,) Corpora- 
tion, and some of the author's private friends, as inci- 
dentally belonging to the history of our town, from the 
•xnentioii which it makes of two facts that equally apply- 
to it now, viz : the abundant means of religious know- 
ledge afforded to the inhabitants, and that happy sign 
of the faithfulness of the stewards of God, appointed 
to adminster it, exemplified in the attendance on public 
worship, which perhaps distinguishes Reading above 
<«very other town in the kingdom. *' Many things I 
might here move in, but I spare both you and myself, 
seeing I can weekly speak unto you. Only now 1 will 
turn precepts into prayers, that as the dew from Her- 
mon and Mount Sion did distill on the valleys round 
about them, so may this town, by your prudent go- 
TernmeTit, be a pattern of piety, charity, and sobriety, 
to the whole country about you. And as this famous 
town, for pleasant situation, and rich commodities, 
for prudent government, and civil state, but especially 
for the plentiful means of knov/ledge and grace, is as 
a light set up in a candlestick, as a tower on the top af 
a hill, and a beacon to the whole country, so your 
godly care may be so much the more to walk worthy 
your great privileges, &c. I praise God to see the 
Louse of God so frequented, and yourselves can con- 
fess, how God hath been a good pay-master already 
for some good affections this way, in much increase 
added of late years to the outward estate both of 
your public corporation, and many private persons. 
And to whom should I rather dedicate this labour, than 
to you who heard it preached with much gladness?'' 



166 HISTORY OF READINO* 

JFilUam Bromley Cados^an, second son of Lord Ca* 
dog^an, was born in London, A.D. 1751; at the age of 
six years he was placed at Westminster school, iu 
ivhich he rose to be head bo}^ and vvent from thence, 
in 1769, to Christ Church, Oxford, where he was 
distinguished for his assiduity and application; and 
where, according to hi« biographer, Mr. Cecil, his 
religious impressions became more deep and lasting. 
In the year 1774, before he was ordained, he was 
'presented to the living of St. Giles, by Lord Chan- 
cellor Bathurst, the Rev. Mr. Hehvard doing the duty 
under the sequestration occasioned by Mr. Cadogan's 
minority, and in 1775, he was appointed rector of St. 
'Luke's, Chelsea ; a living in the gift of his own family, 
l)y a marriage of one of its members with the daughter 
'of Sir Hans Sloane. He devoted, however, the greater 
'portion of his time to the duties of his ministry in 
this town. He preached twice ev.ery Sunday, and 
once in the evenings of Tuesdays and Thursdays; the 
remainder of the week he employed, the mornings iu 
Studying the scriptures in the original languages, and 
the afternoons in visiting the sick and poor ; and so 
reguljirly did he follow this course, that, in the words 
of a friend, ** the path you found him in to day, you 
might be sure of meeting him in to-morrow." He 
founded four Sunday schools, in which upwards of 12G 
poor children were instructed, to whose improvement 
he attended with unremitting attention, and whose 
progress he often liberally rewarded. He died, almost 
suddenly, and to the inexpressible grief of his numer- 
ous flock, on the 18th of January, 17^7, aged 46 ; and 
his character though best read in his works, is not 
unfaithfully depicted in his epitaph. '* Animated by 
the noblest ambition, rank, talents, and every other 
distinction, he counted but loss, that he might bear 
tlie exalted character of minister of the gospel of 
Christ : this adorable name, his theme, his refuge, 
and his jov. which gave energy to his principles, and 
Success to his labours, in his last moments, when every 
earthly consolation vanished, sustained his soul ^iM 
bore him through temptation." 



* tiiSTORY OF READIXG, 167 

TRINITY CHURCH. 

In consequence of the very pfreat increase of late 
"-years in the buildino^s and population of that part of 
ftie parish of St. Mary, now occupied by Russell- 
■street, Sydney-terrace, and places adjacent, it beeanie 
expedient to build an additional place of worship, for 
the better accommodation of the inhabitants. At 
a meetinof held in the ve^iry of the parish church, to 
adopt measures for effeciini^f the object of relieviiiof- 
tlie evil of St Mary's inability to accommodate its 
• increasinic conc^reijation, it was first proposed to erect 
. a chapel of ease ; which proposition beinjjf negatived, 
•it was suifgested that a convenient church should be 
riiised by subscription, and that the shareholders might 
receive the interest of their money out of the profits 
expected to be realised by the letting of seats ; this 
suggestion, however, was also rejected, ^nd several 
others of a different nature, experienced the sanie 
fate. It was reported in the town, about this time, 
that the Reverend George Hulme intended to build a 
chapel at his own expense, a report which, we believe, 
was entirely destitute of foundation, biit which thdt 
gentleman confirmed in the most handsome arid 
liberal manner, when he saw the necessity of the in- 
habitants and the utility of administering to it. The 
first estimate, sent in by Mr. Billing, named the cost 
of building at ^6000; a subsequent estimate, made 
' out by Mr. Cooper, did not exceed ^400U ; the latter 
was, in consequence, selected as the builder. The 
architect first appointed was Mr. Garbett, but the 
edifice was completed under the superintendence of 
Mr Finlayson, at a cost exceeding the estimate, and 
which amounted to nearly ^6000 ; the whole of which, 
except a very trifling grant contributed by govern- 
ment, was defrayed by the exempla.y minister, who 
\ve hope may long continue to perform the duties of 
his own church, which will always be considered, 
particularly by his grateful and attached flock, as a 
speaking monument of its founder's benevolence. 

Trinity Church is erected on the north side of the 
road to Oxford, immediately facing Russell-street; the 



168 HIStORY OF KtkDlS6, 

architecture is in the plainest Gothic style ; the en- 
trance is by three pointed arches, divided by iJj-raduated 
buttresses, and surmounted by a low tower unpictu- 
resque in itself, and rendered still more so by its situ- 
ation : there are eight lancet windows on each side, and 
ihe interior, which will accommodate nearly twelve 
hundred persons, is very judiciously and conveniently 
laid out ; it possesses a very superior organ, built by 
Flight and Robson, and a school room has been added 
within these two years, for the instruction of Sunday 
scholars, where two hundred boys and girls are reli- 
giously educated. The church was opened by license 
from the Bishop of Salisbury on the 1 9th of Novem- 
^)er, 1826, but was not consecrated till the 20tli of 
August, 1832, oil which day. Dr. Burgess the diocesan, 
in presence of a large and gratified assembly of mem- 
bers of the established church, performed the solemn 
x)fijce of consecration. The right of presentation 
Tests with Mr. Hulme, and is vested in him and his 
lieirs, for the space of sixty years from the period of 
its being consecrated by the bishop, after vvhich time 
it lapses to the incumbent of the parish of St. Mary. 

The rite of consecration is of very ancient origin, 
and is the act of devoting any thing to the service and 
worship of God ; the Hebrews, who sometimes con- 
secrated their fields and cattle to the Lord, surrendered 
all further property in such possessions as soon as 
the ceremony was concluded : the sanctification to 
God, of the first born of men and beasts, according^ 
to the Mosaical law, and the devoting of the Gibeo- 
nites, by Joshua; and of the Nethinims, by Solomon 
and David, to the service of the temple, are instances of 
the antiquity of the rite which do not require further 
illustration. The consecration of christian churches, 
in the fourth century, (before which period it is un- 
^ertain in what manner the dedication was performed^ 
was attended with great solemnity : the symbol of 
salvation was elevated, an altar erected, a sermon 
preached in praise and commemoration of the founder, 
and prayers, composed for the occasion, offered up 
to beseech the blessing of God on the new edifice, 
and upon ail who should, thenceforward, enter it. 



HISTORY OF READING. 169 

Churches have been always consecrated, in England, 
u'ith particular ceremonies, the form of which is said 
to be left to the discretion of the bishop. At the 
consecration of Trinity, the venerable diocesan was 
met at the entrance of the church by the members of 
the corporation, and some of the principal inhabi- 
tants of the town, who delivered to him the petition, 
praying that he would consecrate the chapel, which 
was read by the reg'istrar; after which the bishop 
and his chaplains, with the preacher, ofRciatinaf 
minister, and a large body of the clergy, walked up 
the middle aisle to the communion table, repeating 
the 24th psalm as they proceeded; the bishop reading 
one verse alone, and the clergy repeating the one which 
■followed. The bishop being seated, the conveyance 
of the site of the new building, and other documents 
relating thereto, were presented to him, which he 
deposited upon the communion table, while he prayed 
that the Almighty would favourably approve of the 
solemn dedication of the place to the performance of 
the several offices of religious worship ;* and give 
steadfastness of faith, seriousness of affection and 
devotion of mind to all who should enter therein, to 
give Him praise and confess their own sins ; that 
grace and heavenly benediction might rest on those 
A^dio should receive there the sacrament of the body 
and blood of Christ ; and that the preaching of the 
■-gospel might enable its hearers to perceive wliat they 
ought to do, and give them strength to achieve it. 
The sentence of consecration was then read by the 
chancellor, and signed by the bishop, who ordered it 
to be registered, and laid upon the communion table; 
after which, some additional prayers, and a sermon 
concluded the ceremony. It should be understood, 
that it is not the mere rite of consecration that renders 
a place sacred, it becomes so from the moment it is 
devoted by the owner to sacred purposes, and to no 
other; the ceremony is only performed in order, that 
by legally and solemnly declaring it to be so, the sa- 

* The baptismal and marriage ceremonies cannot be per- 
formed m this church. 



f70 II I STORY OF READING. 

craments aiul some other offices of the clnircli mioTit 
be aduiinistered therein, which previously could uot 
'be done: it is South, we believe, who says, tliat *' tlie 
^ift of the proprietor to God makes it (Jod's, an'd 
consequently sacred/* 



DISS ENTINC;; ESTABLISHM ENTS. 

Castle-Stuekt Chafel — ;'rhe Reverend Jamks 
■ Sherman. — This Cha])el is huilt on the site of the old 
county g'aol for fehnis and' debtors ;* and it is the 
opinion of some that the t?ife of the old gaol h^^Ad been 
forn\erly occupied by ateliiiious house, and previously 
-to that, by the Castle; hut there are no records of tlie 
county rernainino', in support of the latter opinioii, 
or which i^ive any information concernini;' the date of 
the erection of the old prison. On pullina^ down part 
of the building", in 17^^^, a small lancet window was 
discovered, next the street ; and a round arch on 
the east side, which was supposed to be the entrance 
t-o a chapel for the use of tlie prisoners ; and from 
these remains the building- was thought to be of some 
antiquity. The present chapel was opened in 1^/99, 
under the toleration act, though the worshippers there 
do not call themselves dissenters ; and it is indebted 
for its foundation and support, to the voluntary con- 
tributions of a body of persons who seceded from the 
congregation of St. Giles' Church, shortly after the 
death of the Hon. and llev. W. B. Cadogan, in conse- 
quence of a dispute with that gentleman's successor, 
who was accused of not preaching the same doctrine 
they had been accustomed to hear. The congregation is 
very numerous and respectable, and its religious creed 
nearly similar to that of the established church, whose 

* Before the removal of the county gaol from Castle-street, 
the following inscription, composed by Mr. Merrick, was placed 
over the debtor's grate, next the street. 

** Oh ye, whose hours exempt from sorrow flow, 
Behold the seat of pain, of want, and woe : 
Think, while your hands th' intreated alms extend. 
That what to us you give, to God ye lend," 



HISTORY OF REAfJIXO, 



1/1 



Kturg-y, and other offices appointed in the common 
prayer, are constantly used; their (we believe) only 
point of difference with the national establishment 
consists in professimr a stricter conformity to the 
tenets of the early reformers than that observed by 
our rci^ular clero^y. I'he society did not, at first, 
support a constant preacher, but was occasionally 
Sup])lied with one from other consfrea'alions, and prin- 
cipally from those in Lady Huntingdon's connexion. 
The buildino^, which is simple and commodious, was 
erected from a plan designed by Mr. Billing; and the 
interior, during winter, is very well lighted with gas. 
Baptist Meeting Houses. — Tliere are three 
chapels in Reading, attended by respectable congre- 
gations of this class of protesLant dissenters. J'hat 
in Hosier's-street, at present under the minij^terial 
superintendence of the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M. A. was 
established in 1655, at which time it was endowed 
"Vvith the annual sum of five pounds sterlijig, charged 
upon a house in Abingdon, the gift of William Butler, 
of that town, and an annual rent charge of twenty-five 
shillings, from a meadow in Wokingham, was subse- 
quently given by Mr. Griffin Griffin.* This chapel 
was much enlarged, and rendered more convenient for 
the members of the baptist society who attended it, 
some ycRrs ago; but a new one is now erecting upon 
some ground, purchased for that purpose, and which 
formed part of the Ort estate, sold by the crown in 
1832. I'he other meeting houses, are in Silver-street, 
and Minster-street, t but they do not demand any par- 
ticular notice, as their congregations are of the same 

* Mr. John Stamp, of Sinsham, near Reading, who died 
about 1/20, gave his estate at Hethselton, near Stoke, in 
Dorsetshire, "by will, to John House, Joseph Frome, and 
John Spillett, citizens and merchants of London, for the better 
maintenance of the dissenting ministers of Wareham, Wey- 
mouth, and Reading, to each £25 per annum ; the remainder 
to such, in and about London, who had not £40 per annum." 
But this will was annulled by a decree in Chancer^-, on accoimt 
of a clause, by which the widow was obliged to sue for the thirds 
of her husband's estate. — Hufctiin's Dorset: Coates cifante. 

f Tlie meeting in Minster-street, called Salem Chapelj is 
under the ministry of the Rev* Samuel Hewlett. 



172 HISTOUY op REAUING. 

classof baptists, /;r/r^zV?</f/r; iho, irenernl, or Arminiati 
baptists, whose numbers tliroiii^boiit p]ng'laiid, are 
very small when compared with the particrdir or Cal- 
vinistic baptists, have no place of worship in this 
town ; indeed, the former are usually found existing* 
only as small sects in large manufacturing- districts, 
and as they entertain a thorough contempt for ail 
erudition and science, so are their leaders destitute 
of that safe learning and knowledge which poin4; out 
to salvation. The part'icular baptists observe in theiT 
congregation the same rules of government, and the 
same forms of worship, as those followed by thepres- 
byterians; and their coinmnnity is under the direction 
of men eminent for their piety and learning. They 
maintain that baptism should be administered, as it 
actually is in the Russian and Greek churches, l)y 
immersion, and not by sprinkling; they refuse the 
ordinance altogether to children, nor do they admit 
adults generally, but only those of a certain character 
and description, whom they profess to render fit for 
the sacrament, by previous instruction. On their first 
appearance in this country, they w^ere received with 
great distrust and alarm, being considered not only 
as successors but as adopters of the opinions of that 
fanatic and sanguinary sect, who, in the sixteenth 
<;entury, deluded part of Europe in blood, under the 
pretext of Christ being sole king upon earth, and the 
consequent non-effect of all social laws, which they 
not only trampled upon, but erected a new Jerusalem 
in Holland, and placed a tailor at its head as the 
supreme sovereign of its destinies. But, previous to 
their rise, in this country, Menno had reformed the 
abuses of the old Anabaptists, swept away their gross 
indecencies, and tamed their heartless ferocity, so 
that even the early English baptists must not be con- 
founded with the monstrous society which convulsed 
all Germany and Holland ; many, indeed, suffered at 
-the stake in Smithfield, but the flames there were as 
often kindled to smother virtue, as to consume vice. 
Their confession of faith, published in 1643, pro- 
cured them a greater share of public and general 
respect than they had been, hitherto, accustomed to 



HISTORY OF READING. 173" 

i^ceive ; an'.], it appears from it that their reli(>ious 
sentiments are the same at this day, that they were 
then. The burial ground of the society in this town 
is situated in Church-street, and was, with a house 
adjacent, the o;lft of IMr. William Butler, and Mr. 
Rol)ert Willis, of Reading.* 

The Independent Meeting. — The Rev. A., 
Douglas, and the Rev. W. Legge, B. A. — This. 
chapel, wliich is situated in Broad-street, was built< 
by subscription^ and has been enlarged, since its^ 
erection, and a burial ground added, at a considerable 
expence, but which was defrayed by the contributions 
r^\ised voluntarily among the more wealthy part of 
the congregation. In size, and in its conveniencies- 
for affording accommodation to a very numerous and 
respectable- auilience, it is well adapted to all its 
purposes. 

The Independents are a purely English class of 
dissenters, who are so named from their maintaining 
that each congregation of christians, which assembles 
for the purpose of public worship, in one house, is. 
in itself a complete church, possessing every sufficient 
power for all acts of religious government, and in no. 
respect subject to, but entirely independent of all 
other churciies. They arose in England, during the 
reign of Elizabeth, about the year 1581, under the 
auspices of Robert Brown, a puritan, who, in com- 
mon with a very large proportion of his fellow subjects^ 
v.as oifended with the many particulars retained by 
that queen, in the church of Enuland, too nearly re- 
sen^bling those of the church of Rome. The societies^ 
founded by Mr. Brown, he pronounced independenfy 
bv divine right, and exempt from episcopal jurisdic- 
tion. He also maintaineJ that every member had an 

* The following is a list of the various sects of baptists 
existing at the present period : Menonites ; Refined Anabaptists, 
Flemings, or Flandrians; Gross Anabaptists or Waterlaudians ; 
Groningenists ; Ukewa.llists ; Galenists ; Apostoolians ; and 
Dantzickers or Prussians : — a Freemason, in Spain, is not so 
odious a character in the sight of the government, as a baptist 
in Prussia, where the body is considered much more as a po->, 
litical than a religious one. 



1?74' HISTORY OF READING* 

e^iial share in the s^overnTnent of the congrei^ativOTi tOr. 
which he belonired, and he extended the right of: 
preachini^, not merely to the pastors, but to any in- 
dividual member wlio thought proper to rise and'' 
expound the scriptures to his brethren. TheBrownisls. 
propag-ated their notions with infinite zeal, and libel-, 
led the church with unwearied assiduity, till their own 
violence drove them into exile, which beiug' a fate of 
which their founder was unambitious, and unwillino';, 
to endure, he very consistently renounced his prin- 
ciples of separation j took orders in that church he bad 
pronounced spurious and papistical, and obtained, 
in course of time, a benifice. After the secession of • 
Robert Brown, tlie society was renovated, and the. 
severity of its original plans mitigated by the pious^ 
and learned John Robinson, who taught them not to. 
pour forth uncharitable invectives against all churches 
which were governed by rules entirely different from 
their own; he also, introduced^ more regular ministry 
into their communities, arid instead of allowing pro-, 
miscuously all ranks and orders of men to teach in 
public, he gave the right of electing ministers, to 
the congregations wdiere they were fixed, a rule still 
followed by the independents, who will not permit 
any member to speak in public, before his capacity 
and talents have been subjected to a suitable exami-. 
nation, and have received the approbation of the 
heads of the congregation. They reject the use of 
all creeds and confessions drawn up by fallible men,, 
and require, from their teachers no other test of 
orthodoxy than a declaration of their belief in the 
gospel of Jesus, and their adherence to the scriptures 
as the sole standard of their faith and practice; but 
it must not be rashly concluded that because thev; 
reject the use of all creeds of human composition, 
they consequently doubt or disbelieve the doctrines 
deemed orthodox in other churches, for the contrary 
is the fact. To the rite of ordination, they attribute, 
no virtue whatever; the qualifications which they 
require in a regular minister of the New Testament, 
we have partly enumerated ; they demand, in addition, 
principles of sincere and unafi'ected piety, a comr. 



HISTORY OF READFXfi. J 7."? 

peteiu stock of knoulodii'c, and, ordinarily, an invi^ 

tation to tlie pastoral ollice from some particular 

society. A man who unites tlie^e (jualities within 

himself, they deem a suitable in^tructor for the less 

fjifted; and they believe that the imposition of hands^ 

of bishops or presbyters would convey to him no 

power or preroa^ative, which he did not previmisly 

'»ssess ; every.kind of ministerial ordiiiation they are 

'scquently o.pposed to, and they maintain that he 

lO h iS not the qualifications above mentioned, has 

• t God's call, nor any authority to preach the t^ospel 
/ Christ, or to dispense the ordinances of his reli-; 

)ii. 7"he members of this society are very numerous, 
1 tl; - have produced from amonjj; them, divines 

• hi -c for suund learning-, unaffected piety, and^ 
e.\tJ ..d virtue. 

The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel is situate in 
Cliurch-street, and is under the pastoral direction 
of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, and the Rev. Henry 
Groves. The opinions of the JMethodists are too well 
known to require particular notice here ; they profess^ 
and indeed observe, a reg-arcl for the established 
church, and maintain the possibility of attaininir 
sinless perfection in the present state. The difference 
between the Wesleyans and the Whitfieldites, consists 
in the theological system of Mr. \A'esley and his fol- 
lowers being Arminian, while that of Mr. Whitfield 
and //?.9 disciples, is Calvinistic. 

hi addition totlie dissenting establishments we have 
already named, the followers of Mr. Cud worth, the 
hero of corpuscular philosophy, have a. place of a^- 
v^embly in London-street; and the society of Friends 
have also a meeting house, with a burial ground 
annexedj situated in Church-street, which they hold 
under a lease from the corporation, for ninety-nine 
years. Their tenets are too commonly known to re- 
quire an extended notice : they object to hired 
preachers, as they deem such to be acting in dis- 
obedience to Christ's command, ** Freely ye have re- 
ceived, freely give;" and they allovv females, as well 
as males, who are endued with a right qualification 
for the niinistrv, to exercise their gifts for the general 



1/6 EflSTORY OF READING. 

edification of the church; they also acknowledg*e the 
divinity of Christ, but deny the efficacy of the two 
sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper. The 
Catholic chapel in V^astern-lane, was erected by some 
pious French emigrants; the dutiei> of its ministry is 
at present performed by the Rev. Mr. Bowland. 

It will be seen from the above brief notice of the 
various places appropriated to divine worship in this. 
tt)wn. that there are not less than thirteen; viz: — the 
tliree parish churches, the auxiliary church of tit 
Holy Trinity, one or more for the respective sects t.t 
dissenters, aud a chapel for the use of the Roman 
Catholics; the whole combined forming a T^eaiis ui 
religious instruction that, taking into consideration^ 
the population of the place, cannot be surpassed 1 v 
any town iu the empire. 



THE S€HCM)I.S. 

The Free School. — There formerly stood, near 
the church of St. Lawrence, an alms-house, dedicated 
to St. John, and founded by one of the abbots of 
Reading, for the maintenance of such decayed widows 
of persons who had borne some office in the town, who 
would consent to take the veil, and make a vow of 
living unmarried during the remainder of their lives. 
Their office consisted in praying for the good estate^ 
uf their sovereign, and for the souls of the founder 
and of the benefactors to the foundation ; in return 
for which, they received their provisions from the 
abbey, daily; and money and clothing, every year. 
The revenues of this hospital were suppressed by ab- 
bot Thorne, in 1445, and applied to the use of the- 
almoner of the abbey; this appropriation of the funds 
of a religious house was disapproved of by Henry 
VII, who ordered them to be again applied to some 
charitable establishment; at the suggestion of the 
abbot, the king consented to the founding of a gram- 
mar school, for the endowment of which he allotted 
the annual stipend of ten pounds, payable out of the 
crown rents of the town of Reading : an additional 
sum of two hundred marks, was contributed towards 



III«TORY OF READING. 177' 

tlie ad\^ancemeiit {)( the foundation by a William Deua,^ 
who had formerly borne some office in the abbey; an 
act of gfenerosity which was rewarded by a laudatory 
notice in that gentleman's ppituph. How this money 
was applied we have no means of ascertaining; the 
Htjpend of ten pounds continued to be paid to the 
master by the abbot until the^ dissolution, when it 
wa^^ chare ed^ upon the manor of Cholsey, by Henry 
Vlll. Jn Ui^ reign of Queen Elizabeth, the corpora- 
tiiCKi, uttidertook the remuneration of the head of the 
school, in return for certain lands surrendered to 
tli^m by the crown ; and in addition to their office of 
furnisliing, thenceforward, the master's salary, they 
were empowered, by charter, to nominate, elect, ap- 
point or remove hiin at discretion. Archbishop Laud, 
in the reiirn of Charles I., bequeathed the farm at 
Bray, ill this county,, to the corporation, to be applied' 
10 various charitable pur])oses, one of the results of 
which legacy was the increasing the master's salary to^ 
thirty pounds a year, at the time, and a gradual ad- 
vancement of the. same durijjg a subsequent period^ 
as. the land bequeathed increased in value. 

The visitors of the school, as appointed by Arch- 
bishop Laud, are the Vice-ChancelloE of the university 
of Oxford, the President of St. John's, and the War- 
den of All Souls, for the time being. Their office is 
to superintend thfr proper application of the Arch- 
bishop's bequests;- their visit to the school is paid 
every third year, and the expences of their reception 
aud entertainment defrayed by another legacy of the 
great benefactor to the establishment, who left twenty- 
four pounds for that purpose. In 1649, when Mr. S, 
Pocock,, a person totally unqualified for the heavy 
duties attached to the dignity of head master, was 
removed from that office, it was determined by the 
visitors and corporation that, for the time to come, the 
following questions should be put to the principal at 
each period of the triennial visitation to the school: — , 
1st. W^hat authors are your scholars able to give an 

account of in their several forms? 
2nd. How many scholars have you in the school ripe. 

for the university? 

N 



T78 HISTORY OF READIN^G.- 

3rd. ^^^lat method do you use in teacliinsf? 

4th. What exercises do your scholars daily or weeKTy 
perform ? 

6th. Do you train up your scholars in the knowledfl^e 
of reliij:ion : and what course do you take for that 
purpose? 

6lhw Do you pray with your scliolars, morning and 
evening? 

7th. By what testimony doth it appear thai you have 
been approved to be able, and that you are diligent 
in discharge of your duty ? 

8th. What times of remission are usually granted your 
scholars, by way of ^ecreatiorr^ 

9th. Do you diligently attend upon the public or- 
dinances of God ? do you cause your scholars to 
frequent the place of worship,, and^ see that they 
behave themselves reverently tliere^ during the time^ 
of all exercise of religion ? 

The two scholarships in St John the Baptist's Col- 
lege, Oxford, belonging to this school, were foiuuled 
by Sir Thomas White, in 155/; the qualifications and 
circumstances of elig'ible candidates, are best ex- 
plained in the following particulars, preserved among 
the statutes of the College, and drawn up by Sir 
Thomas himself*: — 

** Seeing that there is nothing in the whole society 
of man more divine ; nothing more analagous to our 
nature, than to be liberal andbountiful towards those 
to whom we conceive ourselves to be most beholden. 
Neither are we tied by stricter bonds of friendship to 
any, more than to the eitizens of London, amoug whom 
we have been, not only long conversant, and brought 
up also from our infancy, but also have attained and 
gotten the greatest part of such goods and com- 
modities, as now, by divine permission, we enjoy. 
Wherefore, being moved with that love and piety, 

* ** The statutes of St. John'fe were compiled from those of 
New College, but are supposed to have been drawm up, at the 
founder's desire, by Sir William Cordell, solicitor-general to 
the Queen, and master of the Rolls." — Coates, 



HrS'l^ORY OF RKADING, X7i 

which we bear towards our fellow-citizens, we do ap- 
poiiit, ordain, and will, that forty-three of the poorer 
scholars, who, eit^ier within London or the suburbs 
thereof, shall bCvSiow their time dilio^enlly in gram- 
mar, may be admitted into thift our Colle.i^e, founded 
and endowed at mir costs and charores, and they shall 
enjoy all such advantages^ as the present scholars 
possess. 

** Ak», each of tli« following' schools, viz. Coventry, 
Brit^tol,. and Readinuf, shall send two scholars, who 
shall partake of the same advantasfes and privileges 
as the others enjoy. One also shall be chosen out of 
Tun bridge school, in the county of Kent. 

"And now, to the end that there may be some cer- 
tainty appointed, concerning^ the nominatinsf and 
elcctinif of thes« seven scholars, whom we will have 
equal to the others, iu all the advantages and pri^ 
vile^es of the Colleg^e. 

" As often as any pl^vce of these seven shall become 
void, we will, that within forty days after such va- 
cancy% that the president and fellows slmll certify and 
advise^ by letters signed with their own hands, the 
mayor and aldermen of those pbaces, out of which 
such scholars are to be named and chosen, that is to 
say, Coveiitry,. Bristol, Reading, and Tunbridge, out 
of which two scholars each are to be elected, except 
out of Tunbridge, from which, out of respect to the 
great love we bore to Sir x\ttdrew Judd, knt., founder 
of the grammar school there, vve do ordain and will, 
that one scholar shall be nominated and elected, as 
often as the place assigned for this school shall be 
void. And they shall take care to send such out of 
their s€hools to the Cblleije, as either they themselves 
shall know, or in the judgment of others, shall believe 
to be fit to learn logic. And we do decree, ordain, 
and will, that this nonunation, assignation, evocation, 
and election of forty-three scholars, and six choristers, 
by the worshipful men, the master, wardens, and as- 
sistants, and the president,, and vice-president, and 
tvvo of the chief senior fellows ; and also, the nomi- 
nation, evocation, and election of ihose seven scholars,, 
by the mayors and aldermeu of those places, of whidk 

N 2 



IW HI«T<)irY OF READING. 

we made mention before, he made and kepi for ever;- 
neither shall it be lawful at any lime, for the presi- 
dent and fellows whiehnow are, or for their succeasors, 
to invert, clwmt^e, break, or weaken the form of elect- 
in<^ scholars, which we have prescribed, nor to ex- 
pound, nor interpret otherwise ihan the true, natural, 
and grammatical sen^ie of the words do bear, under 
pain of expulsion out of the Colleo^c; neither shall 
they at any time consent, either in word or deed, to 
them that do otherwise." 

A dispute aro«e, at a subsequent period, upon two 
points connected with the statute we have just cited, 
which involved the general interests of all the iuha— 
hitants; these were, first, the right of the bur^^es^es- 
to vote; and,.;5€condly, whether a boy wlvo hail been^ 
educated as a boarder in the school^ and who was not 
a native of the town, was eligible to the scholarship. 
The case laid befcre counselj in. order to obtain a 
legal opinion upon, the- subject, after noticing the 
foundation of the grammar school, in. the reign of 
Plenry VII., and various charters granted to the town 
by succeeding sovereigiis, concludes ihu^:: — "You are 
particularly requested to peruse Sir Thomas White's 
statutes, and^ ad vise whether or not the right of elec- 
tion is in the mayor solely;: in the mayor and alder- 
men; or in the corporation at large;, and Reading 
school being in a very flourishing way, and chiefly 
consisting of boarders, gentlemen's sons in the coun- 
try, and but a few boys of the town, you are desired 
to advise whether or not the corporation can, con- 
sistent \vith their trust, elect a scholar out of the 
school at large, which some are desirous of doing, 
thinking it for the benefit of the town and school so 
to do ; the town, on the other hand, insisting that it 
oannot be done where there is a town's boy in the 
school qualified, though in a lower class; as the cor- 
poration wish to do what is strictly just, your opinion 
is desired fully.'^ 

The reply of Mr. Dampier, the counsel consulted 
on this occasion, was, as it appears to us, very pro- 
perly in favour of the scholars on the foundation,, 
provided they were suitably q^ualified in other respects 



mSTORY OF READING. 181 

according to Sir Thomas White's directions, to the 
'exclusion of the boarders; the learned gentleman 
i)eins: of opinion that the free scholars only were 
'eligible, because they were the objects of the bounty 
•of the foundation of the school, and that the same 
class must be understood as forminor the object of the 
bounty of him who founded the scholarships. As to 
the question concerning who was possessed of the 
right of voting, Mr. Dampier thought, from the con- 
fused meaning of Sir Thomas White's words, that it 
was a very difficult one to answer. The body of free- 
•men, at large, it was clear, possessed no right what- 
ever; and iie was of option that the mayor alone 
'might, at first, have chiimed the privilege of nomi- 
nation, notwithstanding the words of the statute are 
in the plural number, as Sir Thomas Wliite is speak- 
ing of three, if not four corporations; on the question 
between the aldermen and burgesses, after acknow- 
ledging the difficulty of coming to a decision, he 
declared against the latter, and we think very unjustly, 
for they possessed the right of voting before the 
borouoh enjoyed the advantage of aldermen. Mr. 
Man's remarks are so pertinent and sensible on this 
decision, that we shall add nothing of our own to 
them; he says, **At the time this statute NVas -made, 
this corporation consisted only of the mtiyor and bur- 
gesses; if, therefore, the burgesses had aright to vote 
at the election of a scholar on its first institution, 
they being then the sentores of the borough, their 
subsequent division into primary and secondary bur- 
gesses, and after that into aldermen and assistant 
burgesses, could not deprive the latter of the right 6f 
voting, which they before possessed; so that notwith- 
standing such great stress is laid on tlie word sentores, 
it is evident that the founder meant by that general 
term, to include all the members of the corporation, of 
whom the burgesses are an essential part, as without 
their consent, no act of the corporation can be valid." 
In consequence of the opinion of Mr. Dampier, 
however, the burgesses were not allowed to vote, the 
question of their right of so doing being negatived by 
tke aldermen themselves; a proceeding sanctionecl 



182 HISTORY or READING. 

neither by justice nor custom; two cases have been 
cited from the corporation journals to prove that this 
deci.sion was opposed both to the spirit of the statute 
and to previous habitual practice, and it will be very 
apparent, from a perusal of them, thaf both case* 
clearly meet their ohject. 

"Letters from St. John's Collesfe beinaf read-, 
January 11, 1631, for the electing^ a scholar from the 
free school: this was the manner of proceedine;' in 
the election, viz : — M7\ Doctor Bird, beinef school- 
master, was called in and acquainted with the letters 
from the CoUea^e, and required to name three of the 
most fit scholars, whereof one of them may be chosea, 
and sent with a certificate to the Colleije; and he 
named three, and affirmed that everv one of them was 
fit. There were present at this meetinsc, nine capital, 
and sixteen secondary bur^^esses; and the mayor and 
buraresses elected Mr. Creed, the son of John Greedy 
aged sixteen years.'* 

Of these votes the successful candidate obtained 
twenty, only five being" given to the other two, and 
as the corporate body did not exceed, in number, 
twenty-five persons, it is evident, that, on this oc- 
casion, the burgesses mus^t have voted also. The 
second case occurred on the 3rd of May, 1700; when 
the mayor ''communicated to the aldermen and bur- 
jfesses, a letter which he had received from the pre- 
sident and fellows of St. John the Baptist's College, 
signifying that the two fellowships, belonging to this 
borough, will be both void at Midsummer, at which 
time they desire them to send two young men, chosen 
by themselves, into those places, qualified both for 
learning and manners." At this election, there vvere 
present eleven aldermen and five burgesses, and the 
number of suffrages for the two scholarships amount- 
ing to thirty-two, it is again manifest, that the bur- 
gesses exercised at this period what had hitherto been 
their undisputed privilege, and though in some later 
instances this does not appear to have been the case, 
these ought to be considered rather as violations of 
their original right of voting, than a confirmation of 
1^ late decision of the aldermen in their own favour. 



IflfcJTORY OF READiyO. 1S3 

Tti 'th« list of scholars of St. John's elected from 
Heading school, as iriven l>y Coates, two are noticed 
'as having^ been rejected by the president and fellows 
x)f ihe colleofe; one in 1661, named Richard Kinj^ 
the cause of whoi^e rejection was satisfactory enough, 
he had not conformed to the ancient statutes of the 
^rollege, which rerjuired ev^ry scholar to be above 
fourteen, and not to exceed nineteen years of aa^e, 
and he was accordingly sent back **as one of tender 
years;" but the rejection of Thomas Poke, who was 
elected in 1677, w»s one of the most fiagrant acts of 
injustice that was ever <;omniritted; Poke was sent to 
St. John's in conjunction with Francis Bernard, who 
was recommended by Bishop M^vvs; the latter was ac- 
cepted, but his unfortunate companion was rejected 
by the colleii^e, though in every way qualified by hits 
attainments to enjoy tlie bounty of Sir Thomas White, 
who had bequeathed it for precisely such objects as 
^oke, because he had heen employed in trade^ having 
occasionally assisted his father in his business, as a 
tailor, which he exercised in this town, a cause of 
rejection which was at once an honour to the humble 
and unlucky scholar, and a disgrace to the college 
who alleged such a reason, as well as to the cor- 
poration who submitted to s© tyrannous an act of 
-cruel injustice. 

The list of scholars, however, taken generally, is 
the proudest trophy the school can point to, in evi- 
dence of the superior merits of an establishment in 
which the pupils elected to Oxford have almost in- 
variably reflected great credit; the majority rose to 
high and honourable dignities in the church, or 
achieved celebrity in other learned professions; two 
in the list were confessedly not natives of the town, 
and, as such, were not eligible to the scholarships. 
Tcrtullian Pine, who was elected in 1573, was born 
in Devonshire. He took the degree of Bachelor in Arts 
in 1577; and was subsequently created Doctor of Laws 
in the university of Basle, during his travels in Swit- 
zerland; and, on his return to England, was installed 
Archdeacon of Sudbury, in the diocese of Norwich, 
July 20, 1591, in the place of Dr. John Still, of Cam- 



l8i iris TORY OlF vtUAVlXG. 

bridge. The second case of a stranger behig elected 
in preference to a native of the town, occurred in the 
person of Mr. Pope, in the year 1769; this case is 
often cited by those who are of opinion that strangers 
-are eligible, as trne which supports their artrument. 
The circumstances attending it were these: — INIr. 
Davenport, jun. a native of the town, was a candr- 
date for the vacant scholarship, his qualifications for 
which were undisputed; this gentleman's elder brother 
had been previously elected to one of the scholarships, 
in 1763, and it is suggested (hat the members of the 
corporation opposed the election of the youngier 
brother from a disinclination to see both scholarships 
enjoyed by one family^; a cause of opposition which^ 
if true, was frivolous ari^ unjust. By the advice of 
his elder brother, Mr. Davenport did not attend at 
the hall on the day of election, but remained satisfied 
that he had fulfilled every necessary proceeding by 
merely declaring himself a candidate. The assembled 
"corporate body took advantage of this absence to 
elect their own proteg^, by siding the town-sergeant 
to make proclamation on the top of the hall stairs, 
for the candidates to appear, when none but Mr. Pope 
answering to the summons, they affected to elect him 
rather as a matter of neciessity then inclination. The 
Messrs. Davenport instituted subsequent measures to 
get the election set aside, 'l)ut they were not attended 
with success, and there the dispute rested; Mr. Pope, 
however, was always consideri&d as an intruder, by 
the collegians from Reading school, and it is Very 
evident that his case is not at all farourlEible to thfe 
opinions of those who oppose the subjects of election 
being confined to duly qualified natives of the town. 

Mr. Coates thinks that the original school-room was 
probably the great hall of St. John*s Hospital: it con- 
tained a portrait of Henry VII., painted on pannel, 
•and now, we believe, in the possession of the head 
master. The following monkish rhymes are legibte 
beneath the portrait: — 

Virginibus sedes 

Fuit heec Monialibus JEdeSy 

Hospitium Henricus 

Musis donavit Amicus. 



J^iBtbRV OF HEADING. ]S5 

In 1621, the school-house was repaired, at the ex- 
pence of the corporation ; and in 1672, anew floor 
WHS put down between the school and the town-hall. 
The north end of the school was fitted up as a library, 
in 1740, to which a small collection of French works 
was contributed by Mr. Giles Bellay; in six years the 
number of volumes had increased only to 385 volumes, 
but the collection has been considerably augmented 
at various subsequent periods. The old school-room 
being found inconvenient from its situation bfeneath 
the town-hall, was abandoned, in 1790, in which year. 
Dr. Valpy built ai his own expence, a large and com- 
modious room for the purpose of a school, fift)^-two 
feet in length, near the mai^ler's house. It is sup- 
posed that there viras formerly no residence specially 
allotted for the ac^ommodatrion of successive masters,* 
who appear to have resided in private dwellings, and 
not to have received boarder*, till the period when the 
mastership of the school was possessed by Mr. Hiley, 
who Enjoyed that dignity from I7I6 to 1750; this 
gentleman, after living for ^ome time in a small house 
on the north side of the Forbury, built an extensive 
mansion, for the reception of boarders, near the 
Vastern-lane, which, after his decease, was rented by 
Mr. Spicer, the succeeding master, of Dr. Addington, 
•the late principal's son-iu-law. In 1771, Mr. Spicer 
promoted a subscription, the object of which was to 
secure the house for evfer, as the master's residence; 
and, at the annual meeting, in Reading, which took 
place the same year, of gentlemen educated at the 
school, it was unanimously agreed ** to forward a sub- 
scription, in order to raise a fund towards purchasing 
pT building a house, for the master of the free-school, 
for the time being, and to invest the principal in the 
trustees, appointed by Archbishop Laud to be visitors 
of the school, and the mayor of Reading, for the 

• In 1541, Henry VIII., granted to Leonard Cox, by patent, 
** the office of master of the grammar school of the town of 
Readings with a certain tenement called *a scole -house,' and 
a passage belonging to it, for his li/e, with a stipend of ten 
pounds, issuing out of the manor of Cholsey, belonging to th* 
late dissolTfcd monastery of Rcfading.'' 



iS6 K^STORY Of READING^, 

time beinof, who were empowered to receive the in- 
terest of ilie said principal, so to be raised, till a hous-e 
be purchased or built therewith/' l\Jr. Spicer wa^ 
himself a liberal contributor to an undertaking^ from 
which his successors were to derive more advanta^re 
than he who sugfoested it. 71ie corporation of Heading, 
St. Jolm's colieoe, the county and town members>, 
the resident gentry, and many of the old alumni of 
the school, ah5o forwarded ihcir contributions; but 
thouijh there was along* list of subscribers, the sum 
subscribed was not adequate to the intende<l purchasci; 
the money, therefore, was funded, and the interest of 
it, after i\lr. Spicer's resi^Dation, was added to the 
salary of the two succeeding masters. By the renewed 
•exertions of some sincere friends to the establislnnent, 
a sufficient increase was made to the capital, in 17^4, 
to enable the trustees to carry tli« original object of 
the subscription into effect. Dr. Addington's house 
was then purchased as a school-house, for the sum of 
^800, and was made ove^r in trust to the mayor, and 
corporation, who aareed to renew the lives by the pay- 
ment of the fines ; the annual ground rent and land-tax 
being charged to the master. The liouse was afterwards 
much improved by Dr. Valpy, who added to it a spa- 
cious hall and libi'ary, with some smaller rooms. 

MASTERS OF THE SCHOOL. 

John Long, 1503. 

The fiction of Cardinal Wolsey having been expelled Magp-- 
dalen College, Oxford, for some depredations tipon the College 
chest, and his having opened a grammar school, at Reading, has 
been long since exploded ! though many have placed him at the 
head of the list of masters of the free sx^hool, from a belief in 
the above story, stated on the authority of Archbishop Parks, 
there is no doubt of Long having been the first appointed to 
that office. 

Leonard Cox, 1529. 
A native of Monmouth, and a man of considerable attain- 
ments ; he took his bachelor's degree in arts, at Cambridge, 
and "was incorporated into the same degree, at Oxford, in 1529 ; 
he was the author of " the art or crafte of Rhetorik^," which 
was published in 1532, and inscribed to ** his singular goodlorde. 



HISTORY (>F READ1N<5. i87 

thf lorde Hugh Faryngton, abbott of Redynge/' for whom he 
desires ** long and prosperous life, with increase of honour ;'* 
a wish that fell most lamentably short of fulfilment, for his 
piitron was hanged, a very few years after. The dedication of 
this scarce book, however, is strongly marked by the senti- 
ments of a pious and amiable man, whose humanity is also 
celebrated for having saved from the stocks a poor persecuted 
Lutheran, out of regard to his literary knowledge ; but the 
good wishes of the worthy master were as unfortunate in his 
character of patron, as in that of ** client and perpetuall ser- 
vaunt," for John Fry th, the object of his humane interference^ 
was only saved from the stocks to die at the stake. He tra- 
velled over the Continent, and supported himself, as it was 
common for great scholars to do, at that period, by teaching 
the learned languages ; Bale speaks of him as being instructed 
in all the liberal arts ; a grammarian, a rhetorician, and a poet ; 
a sound divine, and a diligent preacher of God's word ; he was 
the friend of Erasmus and Melancthon, and survived until the 
reign of Edward VI. His works, in addition to the one already 
mentioned, are, — "Commentaries on William Lilly's con- 
struction of the eight parts of speech." ** Marcus Eremita de 
lege et spiritu," translated from the Greek into Latin ; and 
** The Paraphrase of St. Paul's Epistle to Titus," translated 
into English. frxMn the Latin of Erasmus. 

Leonard Bilsox, 1546, 

noticed by Wood as "the learned schoolmaster of Reading." 
In succession to him, Coates says, "one Hampton was school- 
master for a short interval ; to whom succeeded Thomas 
Thackham, for the first time. John Moore, vicar of St. Giles's, 
in 1557, had the patent in the beginning of Q,ueen Mary's 
^reign, from whom it came to 3^ulines Palmer." 

5"irLiNES Palmer, 1555, 

or Julius Palmer, as he is called by Mr. Man, who places him 
as immediate successor to Bilson, in 1554, was .the son of a 
respectable tradesman at Coventry, and received his education 
at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was much esteemed 
both for his learning and the simplicity and gentleness of his 
manners ; being, however, a zealous Roman Catholic, and 
refusing to conform to the new doctrines in the reign of Edward 
Vi-^ and lying also tinder the suspicion of being the author of 
several Mbels and satirical verses, reflecting on the president, 
Dr. Haddon, a great friend to the reformation, he was expelled 
from the College. He was then engaged as a tutor in the 
family of Sir Edward KnoUys, and when Queen Mary's visitors 
were sent to Oxford, in 1553, under the title of reformers, he 
made a successful application to be restored to the College 
konours, of which ht had been deprived ; and, it is supposed. 



from the notice taken by Fox of his frequent journies to t^r^ 
ford, that he held his fellowship while he was master of R^Br- 
ing school. During the period that he was a warm advocate 
and follower of the Roman Catholic faith, he had been often 
heard to declare of the Lutherans that •' none of them would 
stand to death for their religion ;*' but since the uttering of th'n 
assertion, he j had himself witnessed the execution of Ridley 
and Latimer, whose piety and firmness effected a great change 
in his mind ; which was completed by a careful study of the 
works of Peter Martyr, and an anxious penisal of the holy 
scriptures. From the violent exclamations he made againi^l 
the tyrannous cruelty of those who persecuted the professors dt 
the reformed religion, he fell under suspision himself of being 
a favourer, if not a convert, of the new and pernicious heresy; 
his mode of faith, however, did^not leave him o|3en to accusation, 
for he only condemned the persecution, without openly ac- 
knowledging the justice of their cause who fell victims to it ; 
but his private sentiments were at length discovered through 
the treachery of some false friends, who not only, by a feigned 
sympathy for the martyrs of Christianity, drew^ from him his 
most secret thoughts, but took the opportunity of his absence, 
to rifle his study and seize his pajpers ; among these were found 
a few manuscri|)ts composed in opposition to the proceedings 
of the council, which they threatened to produce against him, 
unless he consented to retire from Reading, and resign the 
mastership of the school to a person of their appointment, who 
is said, by Stripe, to have been Thomas Thackham. He ac- 
cepted the alternative, and qtiittcd the town, leaving some 
property in the possession of his enemies, and a quarterns 
stipend which was due to him,* and proceeded to his mother's 
residence, at Evesham, in Worcestershire, where he hoped to 
receive a legacy that had been bequeathed to him by his 
father ; his mother^ however, receiving him with bitter re- 
proaches for the change in his religious sentiments, he quickly 
"withdrew, and returned privately to Magdalen College, where 
through the interest of his friends, l^r. Allan Cope, and pre- 
sident Cole, he received an appointment to the mastership of a 
school in Gloucestershire. He had not proceeded far on his 
way to the spot whither his new duties called him, when he took 
the hasty, and, to him, fatal resolution of returning to Read- 
ing, in order, if possible, to obtain the arrear of salary due to 
him, and to recover also the property he had left there, pre- 
vious to his resignation of the school. His arrival here, at an 
inn, called the CardinaVs Hatj was no sooner discovered, 
through the agency of some of his former friends, than he was 
seized, without himseli having the least suspicion of his danger, 
and thrown into a dimgeon, where he was exposed to the most 
merciless treatment ; at the end of ten days, he was taken 
before the Mayor, and made acquainted with the charges in- 
•tended to be brought against him : among other alleged crimes. 



HTSTOllT OF KEADIXC. 18? 

he was acciLsed of saying that the queen's sword was not en- 
trusted to her that she might practise tyranny, and slay tlie true 
servants of God; of being a sower of sedition, and a procurer 
of unlawful assemblies, because lie had not quelled a riot 
among some persons w^ho attended to hear his lectures ; he was 
moreover, charged with conspiring against the life of the hus- 
band of his landlady, who is said to have requested him to return 
to Reading, "and sent her commendations by the token, that 
the knife lay hid under the beam^^^ whence it was inferred that 
assassination was contemplated. Tliree suborned witnesses 
having sworn to the truth of these charges, Mr. Palmer was 
sent to the cage, which then stood over the entrance to the 
chui-ch-yard of St. Lawrence's parish, that he might become a 
spectacle of contempt to the people, who were told that he was 
thus punished for the most enormous crimes and misdemeanours, . 
which had been fully proved against him. To one of the people, 
a certain John Galant who rebuked him for having deceived 
men's expectations, and told him that he was sulrerins; for his 
crimes, and not for righteousness' sake, he replied : " oh, 
brother Galant I these be the old practices of that fanatical 
brood ; but be well assured, and God be praised for it,. I have 
so purged myself, and detected their falsehoods, that from 
henceforth T shall be no more molested therewith." The latter 
assertion was made on the just but ill founded hope that the 
proofs he had produced of his entire innocence of the charges 
brought against him, and the inclination of the mayor to dis- 
charge him from custody, would have been followed by the 
regaining of his freedom ; but his enemies, in the mean time, 
were not idle ;■ for finding that their attempts against him had 
not been attended with the results they hoped for, they deter- 
mined at once to accuse him of heresy ; on this new charge 
he was committed by Mr. Bird, the Bishop of Salisbury's 
official, and the mayor, to Newbury; and on Thursday, Jidy 
16, he appeared at the visitation held in the church there, by 
Dr. Jeffery, Sir Richard Abridges, sherijff of the county, Sir 
H'illiam Ramsford, John Winchcomb, Esq. and Clement Bur- 
det, the minister of Englefield. 

Dr. Jeffery, after some altercation with Palmer, concerning 
the authorship of a pamphlet then recently published, thus ad- 
dressed him : *' Mr. Palmer, we have received certain writings 
and articles against you, from the right worshipful the mayor 
of Reading, and other justices, whereby we understand, that 
being brought before them, you were convicted of certain 
heresies. 

" 1st. That you deny the supremacy of the Pope's holiness. 

** 2nd. That you affirm there are but two sacraments. 

** 3rd. You say that the priest showeth up an idol at mass, 
and therefore you went to no mass since your first coming ta, 
Reading. 

*• 4th. You hold that there is no purgatory. 



190 HISTORY OF READING. 

** 5th. You are charged with sowing sedition, and seeking to 
divide the unity of the Queen's subjects." 

Several books and pamphlets were brought forward, in sup- 
port of these charges, the authorship of which Mr. Palmer 
readily acknowledged ; denying, at the same time, that they 
contained any thing contrary to the word of God. Dr. Jeffery 
denounced the answer as malevolent, adding "that he was very 
wicked in slandering the dead ; and railing at a catholic and 
Ifearned man living." 

" If it be a slander," said the accused, '^he slandered himself, 
for I do but report his own writings, and expose absurdities 
therein contained ; and I esteem it not railing, to inveigh 
against Annas and Caiaphas, being dead." 

The doctor, incensed at the reply, assured him that he 
"would take such measures as should compel him to recant his 
damnable errors and heresies ; but Palmer told him, that al- 
though of himself, he could do nothing ; yet, if he and all his 
enemies, both bodily and ghostly, shoiild exert their efforts, 
they would not be able to effect what they desired, neither could 
they prevail against the mighty powers of divine grace, by 
which he understood the truth, and was determined to speak it 
boldly. 

Clement Burdet, the minister of Englefield then addressed 
Palmer, and pointing to the pix over the altar, said, ** What 
seest thou there?" **I see," answered the victim, **a canopy 
of silk,, embroidered with gold." "And what is within?" ex- 
claimed the enraged questioner. " A piece of bread in a cloth,' * 
replied the pre -doomed captive. 

On being upbraided as a vile heretic, and asked if he did not 
believe that the true body of Christ was substantially received 
in the sacrament; he answered, " If the sacrament of the Lord's 
supper be administered as Christ did ordain it, the faithful re- 
ceivers do indeed spirituaUy and truly eat and drink in it Christ's 
body and blood;" and being pressed whether he understood 
this participation in the sense mfaintained by the Roman Catholic 
church, "really, carnally, and substantially," he declared, 
** he could not believe so absurd and monstrous a doctrine." 

WTien the court adjourned after this declaration, which was 
of itself sufficient to seal the fate of him who asserted it, he 
was privately urged by one of the justices, whose name is not 
mentioned, to preserve his life by disavowing his opinions ; 
promising that if he would thus conform to the church, he 
would appoint him his chaplain, with a handsome salary, or 
procure for him an advantageous farm, if he were disinclined 
to resume the clerical office. 

Palmer, though sensible of the kindness intended, declined 
the offer ,^ expressing himself, at the same time, ready to yield 
up his life for Christ and his gospel, if God should be pleased 
to require the sacrifice; upon which the justice charitably re- 
joined : " Well, i*iUintr, I perceive thut one of us two muBt b« 



HTSTORY OF READING^ \§l 

dVimaed, for we are of two faiths, and there is but one faitbr 
that leads to life and salvation." Palmer answered that he 
hoped they might be both saved, for that as it had pleased a 
merciful God, to call him at the third hour of the day, that is^ 
io the prime of life, at the age of twenty-four, so he trusted, 
that in his infinite goodness, he would graciously call him at 
the eleventh hour of his old age, and give him an eternal in- 
heritance among the saints in light. 

Being remanded back to prison after this conversation, Pal- 
mer, OQ the following morning was required by the commis- 
sioners to subscribe to certain articles, which they had gathered 
from his answers, with the addition of the terms, horrid, 
heretical, damnable, and execrable doctrines ; he refused to 
R^ibscribe to them, how^ver^ till those epithets were expunged^ 
affirming that the doctrines which he held and professed, were 
not such, but agreeable to, and founded on the word of God : 
after some altercation, a pen was given to him, and, having 
made the alterations he desired, he subscribed to the articles, 
and was immediately asked if he would recant ; on his peremp- 
torily refusing. Dr. Jetfery proceeded to read the sentence of 
condemnation, which gave him up to the secular power, and he 
suffered, the same afternoon, in the 24th year of his age, in 
the sand-pits at Newbury ; two other persons, who had been 
delivered over to the power of the sheriff, being burned with 
bim ; he suffered with great constancy, while he comforted his 
two companions at the stake, with several passages from holy 
scriptures. 

THOMAS THACKHAM, 1556. 

As Mr. Coates's noHce of this person throws some additional 
light on the interesting history of his predecessor, and also 
elucidates some passages of his life we have not touched upon, 
we copy it from that gentleman's work ; it appears to be com- 
piled from Fox, and from a defence written by Thackhara him- 
self. Thomas Thackham, who- had been master once before, 
succeeded Palmer in the school, but by means very disgraceful 
to himself. When the first edition of Fox's Book of Martyrs 
was published, in 1562, Thackham was the minister of a church 
in Northamptonshire, and was strongly pressed by Sir Robert 
Lane, and Mr. Yelverton, recorder of that tov^ni, to answer 
Fox's accusation. In consequence, he wrote a long vindi- 
cation of himself which he sent to Fox, placing in distinct 
paragraphs, **the Slaunderer," as he constantly stiles the 
author, and his own answer to every charge. 

Thackham begins by expressing his surprise when he was in- 
formed that he was in the Book of Martyrs ; and, after long 
debating with himself, concluded that it was on account of his 
having concealed the Lady Vane in his own house, twenty-one 
weeks ; for which he was first imprisoned at Englefield, by the 
command of Sir Francis Englelicld ; and af terwai ds at Reading, 



l^'l SrWRPCmT OP READING. 

in Mr. Aldeworth's house, at that time mayor, when neither 
his wife nor any other person was permitted to speak with him. 
If not on this occasion, Thackham supposed it might be on ac- 
count of his interceding with Mr. Edmunds, the mayor of 
Reading, for one John Bolton, who, in a fit of real or pre- 
tended madness, had railed upon Q-ueen Mary. Thackham 
proceeds to answer **the Slaunderer," paragraph by paragraph ; 
affirming that Palmer did not return to Reading to receive 
a quarter's stipend, being paid every half year by the auditor ; 
that he resigned the patent for a sum of money paid him by 
Thackham, who, by agreement, sought a situation for him in 
some gentleman's family, and placed him with Mr. Ralph Lee, 
of Horsington. From this family he came to Reading, to see 
his hostess with whom he had boarded, and to deliver a let- 
ter to Mr. Edmunds *♦ concerning his stuff:" bedding, says 
Thackham, he had none, his apparel no more than he daily 
wore, never above five or six books, which he took to Horsing- 
ton, It was said by "the Slaunderer," that Palmer was 
** brought down into a vj^le stynking and blynde dungeon, pre- 
pared for theves and murderers," and there kept hanging by 
the legs and feet in a pair of stocks, so high that no part of his 
body touched the ground, and that he remained in this prison 
ten days. Thackham affims that Palmer was taken, as he at- 
tempted to escape over the gardeu wall, by the serjeant, who 
carried him before Mr. Edmunds, and,, from his house, to the 
commissioners, w^ho were then sitting at the Golden Bear. 
After examination he was committed to close custody, in the 
gaol or grate, **no deep dungeon to speak of ;" where he was 
well treated by Welch,, the keeper, and suffered none of the 
cruelties mentioned above. Thackham' s antagonist next charges 
him with suborning three false w itnesses against Palmer, Cox, 
Gately, and Downer, who accused him of treason, sedition, 
surmised murder,^, and adultery. Of these three persons, only 
Dow^ner was liviag when Thackham wTote his defence; to 
•whom, and to the whole town of Reading, he appeals for the 
truth of what he asserts, that he brought no charge at all 
against Palmer; and that he never came out of Welch's prison, 
until he was summoned before the commissioners at Newbury. 
To this defence Thackham subjoins a particular account of the 
treaty between him and Palmer, for the patent, which he affirms 
to have arisen from Palmer's wishing to give up the school, on 
account of a quarrel between him and one John Rydgies, ** the 
queue's servant, and one of the stable." In Thackham's words, 
" Palmer had the schole, when he came to Readynge, of one 
Syr John More vycar of Saynte Giles, in queue Marie's t)^me, 
which he taught diligently, behaved himself honestly, came to 
the church many sondaies and holi-dayes, with his schollars, 
and sate in St. Johne's chappel, lyved so quyetly among them, 
that he had not one enemy in the towne." After the quarrel 
with Rydgies, " Pah^er came to me, and said^ that he would 



HISTaRY OF READING. 193 

give \\p the schole, yf he might have reasonably for the patent, 
which hung but upon the litfe of one olde man, called Cox. I told 
Palmer, that since Q,uene Marie came to the crowne, I was put 
from my vicaridge there, and was constrayned to labour for my 
lyvynge. For as it is known I went every weke foure -score 
myles, save four, on foot, to bye yearne, and sell it agayne at 
Reading, of which tediouse journeys, and payneful travayle I 
waxed werye. Wherefore I sayd, yf in tyme to come, he were 
disposed to leave the schole, so that I could getn the good will 
of the town to have it agayne, I would geve him with reason 
for the patent." The agreement was made that Palmer should 
receive 405. in hand, four pounds more at two convenient times, 
and that he should be provided with a situation in a gentleman's 
family. Thackham says that he introduced Palmer to Mr. Lee's 
family ; and then, ** after we were returned to Reading 
agayne, I went to master Edmundes, Mr. Edward Butler, 
Master Thomas Turner, and Master Aldworthe, my very good 
frendes, declaring to them that Palmer would leave the schole, 
and dwell with a gentleman, and desyred them that I might 
have their good w}'lles to teache yt agayne, for I was wery of 
playing the packman, and of my tedyouse journeys to» Salisbury 
wekely, which they anusweryd that they thought no lesse, and 
that I should have their good vvilles to kepe the schole agayne.'* 
It was agreed that Mr. Edmunds should keep the patent. Pal- 
mer's resignation, and all other writings, until the last pay- 
ment was made ; after which, the patent was delivered to 
Thackham. Then follows an account of Palmer's coming fre- 
quently from Horsyngton to Reading, to visit the Cook's wife, 
at whose house he had boarded, when he was schoolmaster ; of 
the Cook's jealousy, which was groimdless even in Thackham's 
opinion ; and an account of a letter from Palmer to Mr. Ed- 
munds, delivered, at his request, by Thackham, which oc- 
casioned Palmer's examination before the Commissioners, his 
condemnation and death. This seems the original paper sent 
to Fox; it is written in three or four different hands, but is 
signed, as it appears, by Thackham's own hand; dated <*from 
Northampton the xxxth of January the yeare off our salvation 
157ij, by me Thomas Thackham." 

To this defence is subjoined, in the MS. a " reply to an un- 
discrete answer made by Thomas Thackham, sometime of 
Reading, against the story of Julius Palmer, martyr." This 
consists of sixty two folio pages, in a small hand, closely 
written ; but seems imperfect. To abridge it would be difficult ; 
and, therefore, it may be sufficient to say, that in all material 
points, the answerer confirms what has been related above, 
concerning the circumstances immediately preceding Palmer's 
death, but attributes his apprehension to the contrivance of 
Thackham, who was offended at being called upon for the re- 
mainder of the money due for the patent. He also contradicts 
Thackham's account in a variety of particular facts. This 

o 



194 HISTORY OF RRADING. 

M.S. does not appear to have been printed; but the account 
given in it is corroborated by **Inf(jrmations s:athered at Read- 
ing Anno 1571, touching the story of Julius Palmer, martyr." 
Several witnesses confirm the account of the manner in which 
Palmer was taken, that it was at the Cardinal's Hat; contrary"" 
to Thackham's assertion: that Hampcon, *'sometyme their 
scholemaster, met him there," that Palmer imputed the cause 
of his trouble to no man so much as Thackham ; of whom he 
had net received all his money. It is likew^ise affirmed that the 
Lady Vane, w^hom Thackham says he concealed, called him a 
*' dissembling hypocrite ;" and that Tliackham had seduced a 
w^eak young woman, a servant of one Stanshall. Fox applied 
for farther information to Thomas Perry, a clergyman of un- 
blemished character in Gloucestershire, who gave the strongest 
testimony to the truth of Fox's narrative. Thackham protested 
in the pulpit, in the beginning of Q:ueen Mary's reign, that he 
would seal his doctrine vdth his blood ; but afterwards retracted. 
In the time of Edward VI., probably he concealed his true sen- 
timents, or professed himself a pratestant; but he is charged 
with having brought into the church '* leaves of old popish ser- 
vice; and that he, with others, did helpe to patch together the 
hooks, and to sing the first Latin Evensong in the church of 
St. Lawrence." This must have been on Q'.ieen Mary's acces- 
sion; for, in the churchwarden's bpok of St. Lawrence, ia 
1553, is a memorandum of a desk left **in the hands of Mr. 
Thackham, beying our vicar : " and, in 1559, "to Mr. Thack- 
ham for 2 weeks service, V5." 

It is very clear, from the authorities cited above by Coates, 
that great disgrace attaches itself to the character of this un- 
worthy principal of Reading school ; his effrontery prospered, 
and he became comparatively wealthy from the fruits of his ill 
faith, or rather from the want of all faith, two circumstances 
which render him peculiarly open to the application of that ex- 
pressive line in the Ilaid : 

Rich was the man in brass, and rich in gold. 

The succeeding masters were scarcely of sufficient celebrity 
to require very particular notice ; w^e subjoin a list of their 
names, how^ever, rather because it may occasionally prove use- 
ful to refer to in cases of dispute, than from any remarkable 
merit in their possessors, or from any peculiar interest belong- 
ing to the subject. 

JOHN SMITH, 1569, 
a native of Berkshire, and fellow of St. John's, Oxford, suc- 
ceeded Thackham, he was presented to the vicarage of St. 
Law^rence, in 1574; resigned the mastership in 1583, and died 
in 1596. 

JOHN HAMPTON, 1583, 
held the government of the school five years, and wa^ followed 
by the 



HISTORY OF READIXCr. 195 

Rev. THOMAS BRADDOCK, 1588; 
the supposed author of a translation into Latin, of Bishop 
Jewel's " Defence of the Apoloery for the Church of England." 

Rev. THOMAS CHARLTON, 1596; 
Coates says he probably inhabited the old Mitre Tavern, as his 
predecessor did ; for he rented the ' ' tenement at the west church 
doore," in 1596; which coming into the church's hands, was 
ordered to be charged in futui-e five shillings, and is called in the 
churchwarden's book '*parcall of the schoolmaster's house." 

JOHN RAWLINSON, 1600, 
is mentioned as schoolmaster in a decree of the 42nd of Eliza- 
beth, directing Sir Francis Knolly's, and others, to hold a 
commission for the examining into the church lands of St. 
Lawrence. 

ANDREW BIRD, 1610, 
is thought to be the same with Andrew Bird of Merton college, 
who commenced doctor of physic, in 1618, and practised in 
this town, with great reputation ; this supposition is probably 
correct, as the latter year, in which we conclude Mr. Bird to 
have resigned, is also the date of his successor's coming into 
office. 

JOHN DENNISON, 1618; 
was chaplain to George, Duke of Buckingham, and to James I. ; 
and was successively vicar of all the three chui'ches in Reading ; 
he died, in 1628. 

WILLIAM PAGE, 1628: 
appointed to the 'mastership, through the influence of Laud, 
then bishop of London, or, according to Man, at the particular 
request of Charles I. In 1642, he was sequestered by the 
Berkshire commissioners, and the school room was converted, 
by their orders, in^-o a magazine for the soldiers, then ingar- 
rison here. He retired to his rectory at East Locking, in this 
county-; and, at the restoration, when Mr. Singleton was mas- 
ter, he obtained a writ of restitution to the school, which was 
publicly read, but was not followed by his re-assuming his old 
dignity: he died in 1663. 

MR. POCOCK, 1645, 
got possession of the office in turbulent times, without the con- 
sent of the corporation, vvho made various attempts to displace 
him ; one charge brought againt him was for incapacity, but 
notwithstanding the proceedings noticed in the foiloY>Ting entry 
from the diary, he contrived to retain the mastership till 1649. 

*' Upon enquiry made concerning the ability and diligence of 
the schoolmaster, in the free school in Reading, it was resolved 
as foUoweth; upon several complaints against Mr. Pocock, the 
- schoolmaster of Reading, and examination of the proficiencies 
of his scholars, in his presence, (he himself refusing to be 
examined, and declining all other ingenious ways of trial, by 
the visitors) we do conceive the said Mr. Pocock to be alto- 
gether unable to govern the school aforesaid ; and, therefore, 

o 2 



196 HrSTORY OF RRAOrXG. 

we do not approve of the said Mr. Pocock, as having any right„ 
for the time to come, to receive twenty poimds per annum^ 
payable to the schoolmaster of Reading, by the will and grant 
of the late archbishop of Canterbury." We have already noticed 
the articles of enquiry which the visitors agreed upon, and ap- 
pointed to be put to future masters, at the periods of visitation* 

WILLIAM WADDON, 1650. 
GABRIEL REEVE, 1652. 

ROBERT JFINNINGS, 1655, 
was shortly after expelled by the commissioners appointed for 
ejecting all such as were then styled ** scandalous,' ignorant^ 
and iasuffieient ministers, and schoolmasters;" but it is very 
probable that his having borne arms for Charles L, in the gar- 
rison of Oxford, was the true cause of his expulsion, after 
which hebeeanae a private tut^r, and, subsequently^ master of 
the free school, at Abingdon; at the restoration, the authorities 
of Reading, paid him the compliment of oifering to re-instate 
Mm in the mastership, which he did not aecept r he died ia 
jFebrimiy^, 1703, in the 83rd year of his age. 

THOMAS GERRARD, 1655; 
appointed by an order of his highness the Lord Protector ; he 
performed the duties of his office during four years, when the 
order by which he held it was declared illegal ; he resisted the 
decree of the new powers, but a verdict was given against him^ 
at Abingdon,, and Mr. Jennings appointed, whe, however, de- 
clining the proffered honour. 

— EDWARDS, 1659, 
was elected^ and resigned the following year.. 

THOMAS SINGLETON, 166@ ; 
enjoyed the dignity of head-master during two years, part of 
which time he officiated by deputy. After his secession, he 
kept a very flourishing school,^ in London ,^ where the celebrats^k 
doctor Mead became one of his pupils. 

THOMAS THACKHAM, 1662. 
THOMAS IRELAND, 1668; 
aetired thsough mental derangement. 

WILLIAM GOSTWICK, 1673. 
THOMAS MAY, 1687. 
HAVILAND JOHN HILEY, 1716; 
i*The Bushy of the seminarv." 

JOHN SPIGER, 175(>, 
who had been formerly a pupil, and afterwards assistant to Mr* 
Hiley ; he became rector of Tidmarsh, and Sulham ; and pre- 
hend of Preston, in Salisbury Cathedral. Mr. Coates speaks- 
in very w'arm terms of him, as possessing, in an eminent de- 
gree, learning^, in.lustry, ai.d amiability; Mr.. Spicer resigned 
ia >771.. 



HtST^RY OF RKADlN'Go 1S7 

WILLIAM WISE, 1771. 
RICHARD VALPY, 1781; 
^ native of Jersey. ' During four years he was second master of 
the school at Bury in Suffolk ; in 1787, he was presented to the 
rectory of Stradishall, ih Suffolk ; and was admitted bachelor 
^nd doctor of divinity, in January; 1752. 

ReVo F. VALPY, 1836, 
'the present master, elected on the resignation of the above. 

The number of students at present attending- the 
i^r^^ School, is, we believe, forty^ more than half of 
whom are boarders. The parents of 2, free scholar 
are charged <^10 per annum for his education. At n® 
very distant period the yearly expence of maintaiRin^ 
a pupil on the foundation amounted to £\i while in 
Palmer's time, the instruction afforded by the school 
was, as its name imports, and, we suppose, in more 
strict accordance with the will of the four^der, entirely 
free. Mr. Man says, in a note to his account of the 
martyr, that for a long time th<; nature of the foueda- 
tion has been misunderstood, and he attributes the 
departure from the original charitable system, to the 
introduction of boarders^ we do not ourselves under- 
stand why the introduction of the system of boarding" 
pupils in the master's house should make the school 
less free to those for whose express an^d sole advaiitage 
it was founded. It is, or, at least, ought to be, a 
charity school for the benefit of the town, but pro- 
bably few gentleiuen would send their sons to it mider 
such a name, while the present charge of ten pounds 
per annum, {qt ^ free education for a day scliolar 
rescues the school from siich an appellation, and se- 
cures to the boarders the society of companions of a 
more elevated class than is usually to be found m 
charitable establishments. The fault of the innovation 
rests, no doubt, \^ith the party who introduced it, 
and it is perhaps of little actual importance %mn^ 
when free establishments are so multiplied, but be- 
fore the present age of cheap education the change 
must have been one of serious consequence and wrong 
to the town; — we acknowledge the merits of Reading 
school as it is now conducted, but high as we believe 
tbem to be^ we fully agree with a former writer Hpo^^^ 



198 HISTORY OF READING. 

the subject, it is a '^ seminary for the education of 
gentlemen's sons, whose parents bein^* better able to 
reward the literary abilities of the masters, their 
reception has been encouraged, to the almost total 
exclusion of those for whom it was designed/' 

THE BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 

This school, which is situated in the parish of St. 
Giles, at the corner of Silver-street, on the south side 
of the London road, was founded by Richard Aldworth, 
Esq. in the year 1656. This gentleman bequeathed 
the sum of four thousand pounds to the corporation, 
in trust, for the purpose of maintaining a schoolmaster 
lecturer, and twenty Ix^ys; with this sum, the trustees 
purchased the lease of a house called the Talbot, 
which was soon after taken down, and the present 
building erected on the old site, in 1723, a lease for 
five hundred years having been obtained from the pro- 
prietor, Mr. Blagrave, at the yearly rent of eight 
pounds, and a fine of eight pounds at the end of every 
ten years. Mr. Aldworth's donation was further ap- 
plied, in 1657 and 1659, to the purchase of two 
farms, near Basingstoke> for the sum of three thou- 
sand nine hundred and ninety pounds; these farms 
comprised three hundred and sixty acres and a half of 
arable, meadow, and wood land, and produced an 
annual revenue of about ,^200. 

In 1666 the funds of the school were increased by 
the donation of Sir Thomas Rich, of Sonning, who 
bequeathed one thousand pounds to be applied to the 
education of six boys; one to be chosen out of each 
of the three parishes, and the three others from the 
parish of Sonning. With this legacy, the corporation 
purchased an estate at Streatly, which produces 
annually .€54. 

In 1696, Mr. John Hall bequeathed a rent charge, 
now of the annual value of ^25. 15*. on lands at 
Englefield, in Berks, and Silcbester in Hampshire, 
for the establishment of a school in Chain-lane, and 
the instruction of three boys, one to be chosen out of 
each parish; with this sum the corporation were to 



HISTORY OF READIX<T. \W 

supply a house for the schoolmaster, and allow hinra 
salary of <£M8. per annum, with a cloak every two 
years of the value of 40^., a small sum was also alotled 
to provide each hoy, on leaving" the school with a 
bible, and shoes and stockings, and ^'6. to apprentice 
him with; but the fund liavin«- been found insufficient; 
for their maintenance, the boys have been transferred 
to the blue-coat school, and the old school house, in 
Chain-lane is now a dispensary, and one of the most 
valuable and best manag-ed charitable establishments 
that Readinsf can boast of.* 

In 17^0, Mr. John West, a general benefactor to 
the town, gave, for the particular maintenance and 
education of six poor boys, and for apprenticins^" 
them, the sum of one thousand pounds, producing 
annually ^49. 16.?., he also gave fee farm rents to the 
annual value of £6. 5*. 3r/., for the same purpose, 
and vested them in the corporation. 

In 1723, Mr.Malthus left ^91. yearly, for the edu- 
cation and support of ten green-coat boys; (Man 
says eleven, but thinks this number maybe incorrect) 
and, in the same year, a sum of ^15. per year was 
given by Mr. John Pottenger, for the maintenance of 
two more. 

**And 1786, Mr. John Leggatt, as a mark of his 
gratitude for the maintenance and education he had 
received in the school, left the sum of ^50. towards 
its support, without entailing it with any further 
burdens.'' 

The endowment of the school for the maintenance 
of less than fifty boys, and independent of the mas- 
ter's salary, house-rent, repairs, &c. is stated to be 
^384.^ a sum so inadequate for the purposes for 
which it has been bequeathed, that the corporation 

* It was discovered, after the removal of the boys of Mr* 
Hall's school to the Blue-coat establishment, that a Mrs. Nor- 
wood, who died about the year 1780, had left by will to the 
corporation, the reversion of three thousand pounds stock, for 
the encrease of Mr. Hall's school, in Reading, after the decease 
of a Mrs. Whitehorn; if this fact had been earlier known, the 
corporation would have been enabled to continue the school oa 
its old foundation, and to have doubled the number of the boya. 



200 HISTORY OP reading; 

have at times been compelled to reduce the number 
of boys, though, in general, by the strictest economy 
and care, the school is nearly full. It has been cited 
as a proof that the corporation desire to render this 
useful charity as beneficial to the poorer inhabitants 
as was intended by the founders, that they have, 
within these few years, expended more than three 
thousand pounds, besides what the bequeathed funds 
of the school have afforded, in keeping up, as near 
as possible the original number of boys. But this, 
says Mr, J\Ian, could not be effected without intrench* 
ing on some other charities less beneficial. 

The house is a plain building, and consists of a 
centre and two wings, with a brick wall enclosing a 
very circumscribed space, (viz. forty feet square) as 
a play ground for the boys. At each extremity of the 
wings IS a carved figure of a boy, attired in the old 
school dresses, one in blue and the other in green ; 
each holds a bible with his right hand, and points 
upwards with the fore finger of the left. The follow- 
ing inscriptions are on two tablets placed in the wall, 
beneath the figures. 

The Blue-coat Boy. 
Clad in this hieroghyphic veil, 
Two mystic emblems I reveal ; 
The sacred volume in my hand. 
Directs you to the promised land. 
My azure mantle of the sky, 
To heav'n above directs your eye ; 
While to its seat I guide your look,— 
Your guide to find it is this book. 

The Green-coat Boy. 
The Great Creator, at its birth, 
Did in my garment cloath the earth, 
WTiose emblem sets before your eyes, 
The scene of the first paradise. 
The sacred oracles that tell 
How from it our first parents fell, 
Here teach us how, by grace to win 
The paradise they lost by sin. 



HISTORY OF READING. 201 

THE GREEN SCHOOL. 

Tills school, which also derives its name from the 
dress of the children educated in it, is for the lecep* 
tion of girls only, who are daughters of decayed 
tradesmen belonging to one of the three parislies, or 
orphans who have been left unprovided for by their 
parents, and who are not younger than ten years, nor 
older than twelve years and a half. 

This useful establishment was founded and insti» 
tuted in 17^-, through the suggestion and exertions 
of the three vicars^ (the Rev. Charles ^lurges, the 
Rev. Doctor Nicholls, and the Rev. W. B. Cadogan,) 
seconded by the zeal and liberality of John Richards, 
Esq., who was, at the time, senior alderman of the 
borough; the proceeds arising from the preaching of 
Mr. West's annual charity sermon, on St. Thomas's 
day, and the support liberally and generally afforded 
by the public contributions, enabled the above gen* 
tlemen, who became trustees, and the committee of 
six ladies, as governesses, and the mayor and senior 
alderman, as governors,* to open the school, on 
michaelmas day of the year mentioned, for the lodg- 
ing and teaching of six girls, two being elected from 
each parish. The old school was situated in St. Mary's 
Butt's; three years after its opening, the number of 
girls was increased to nine, and in 1789, the funds in 
the management of the committee, were found suf- 
ficient to admit of the reception of three more. 

In the following year the school was removed to the 
neat and commodious building it now occupies, in 
Broad-street, where, aided by the voluntary sub- 
scriptions of the public, its funds gradually encreased, 
and the number of girls admitted encreased in pro- 
portion; in 1792, there were fifteen; in 1793, eighteen; 
in 1795, twenty-one; and it affords maintenance and 
education, at present^ to between twenty and thirty. 

* The committee is still formed upon the same plan ; the six 
ladies are selected two from each parish ; the governors are the 
mayor and the senior alderman ; and the trustees are the three 
vicars^ for Uie time being. 



202 HISTORY OF READING. 

The pamphlet published by the trustees, descriptive 
of the •* Readini»* (lirls' ('harity School,'* has been 
quoted by both the local historians of the borousfh, 
and as the authority is unquestionable and superior 
to all other sources of information, we cannot do bet- 
ter than follow the precedent, and, by embodying' the 
two quotations, afford our readers the fullest descrip- 
tion in our power of this excellent charity. 

*'The girls are furnished with green gowns, at their 
admission, by the charity, and neatly, plainly, and 
decently clothed in the same uniform dress, every 
year, with other suitable articles of apparel. While 
at school they are brought up in the habits of diligence 
and industry, to do all kinds of plain work, chiefly 
at the Royal Asylum prices; to cut out linen, mark, 
knit; to perform the business of the house and kit- 
chen; to wash, iron, and get up linen, and thus to 
qualify themselves for good and useful servants; and 
they are encouraged by a reward of two-pence, to be 
deducted out of every shilling that is paid for needle- 
Avork, performed by them, which needle-work has 
been approved by their employers, and of which they 
have, in general, great plenty upon their hands 

**They are regularly trained up in the principles of 
the christian religion, in virtue and modesty, honesty 
and truth; in decency, humility, civility, and mutual 
kindness, and in all due subordination; and an ac- 
count of their behaviour is given to the governesses, 
governors, or trustees, at their frequent visits, to su- 
perintend the government of the school. They rise 
early; prayers are read every morning in the family; 
after which they make the beds, and sweep the rooms. 
They breakfast at eight; at nine o'clock, school 
begins, when les§ons in the old and new testaments, 
and in Mrs. Trimmer's abridgement of the sacred 
scriptures are read. They are taught to spell from 
Mrs. Trimmer's Charity-school spelling book, and 
Entick's dictionary, and to say their prayers and 
hvmns by heart. They are instructed in Grossman's 
introduction to the Knowledge of the Christian Reli- 
gion. After reading and spelling, they work till 
twelve ; at twelve they dine, play one hour after din- 



HISTORY OF READING. 203 

ner, and then return to their work, till it orows dark 
in the winter, when they leave off till six o'clock, and 
return to readiuiic and working till eight. In sununer 
they continue at their work, from about half-}>a3t one 
till, six, and then leave off for play or walking;- till 
eight. At eight they sup, and, after prayers have 
been read to them in the evening, they go to bed about 
nine. With the mistress, or assistant, or both, they 
attend divine worship at St. Mary's church, on certain 
week days, and twice on every sunday, when tliey 
likewise hear no inconsiderable part of the psalmody of 
the church, from the gallery, in which they are placed, 
during divine service. 

*'For the last half year of their continuance in the 
school, they are taught by a proper master to write 
and cast accounts. AVhen they are in their fifteenth 
year, they are regularly examined before the com- 
mittee, with respect to their proficiency, and in or at 
the expiration of that year, they are, with the appro- 
bation of the committee, bound appreniices to credit- 
able and respectable house-keepers, in or out of the 
borough of Reading; as domestic servants; or, to 
learn a trade for the space of four or five years, upon 
condition that five pounds shall be paid, or allowed 
by the charity, for their being clothed, according to 
the following articles: one bonnet, three night caps, 
three day caps, one coloured handkerchief, one white 
handkerchief, two gowns, one quilted petticoat, one 
baize petticoat, three shifts, one pair of stays, two 
pair of stockings, one pair of pattens, one pair of shoes, 
two coloured aprons, two white aprons, one pair of 
pockets, one pair of gloves, one cloak, buckles, and 
other odd articles. And upon condition that the mas- 
ters and mistresses shall be bound to find them in 
every thing afterwards, for the term of their ap- 
prenticeship; and at the expiration of that term, to 
cloth them as well as they vvere clothed at the begin- 
ning of their apprenticship, or to pay the sum of five 
pounds, in trust to the governors and trustees, to be 
laid out for the use of the girls. 

*' The girls upon leaving the school, are furnished 
with a Bible and Common Prayer Book, the Whole 



204 mSTOKY OF READING. 

Duty of Man, and Grossman's Introduction lo tlife 
Knowledge of the Christian Religion. To encourage 
them to behave well, and do credit to the institution 
•after they have left it, the girls, at the expiration of 
half their apprenticeships, upon producing to the 
committee a certificate, signed by their masters or 
mistresses, of tlneir good behaviour, are rewarded 
with half a guinea; and at the expiration of the whole 
of their apprenticeships, upon the same conditions, 
they receive another half guinea; and we have the 
•satisfaction to add, that several girls have produced 
the required certificates, and received the rewards at 
both periods. 

"Besides the frequent attention of the ladies, and 
other members of the committee, to this charity, the 
committee meets at the school-house, for the election 
of girls, or whenever any particular business is to be 
transacted. Once in a year, the accounts are regularly 
■audited, and signed. A report of the charity is pub- 
lished in the Reading paper: and the charity books, 
with one-of which every member of the committee is 
furnished, are filled up at Michaelmas Day, in every 
year. Every St. Thomas's Day a sermon is preached 
alternately, at each church, and a collection made at 
the church doors for the benefit of this charity, the 
amount of which is carried to the original fund. 

*'The foundation deed, with a deciaration of trust, 
was enrolled in Hits Majesty's High Courtjof Chancery, 
on the 5th day of February, 1793." 

THE FOUNDATIOiN SCHOOL. 

In the year 1705, Mr. Joseph Neal, of Gray's Inn> 
London, empowered his executors by will, to dispose 
of his property in charitable uses ; these gentlemen, 
Samuel Neal, and Dr. Frederick Slare, applied three 
hundred pounds out of the testator's effects, in pur- 
chasing heritable land for the better maintenance of a 
■charity school, at Pottern, in Wiltshire, reserving^ 
however, to the trustees the power of transferring 
the money to the use or establishment of any other 
school within the diocese. This right was exercised 



H-fSTORY OF READING. 205 

l)y Mr. Fox, vicar of St. Mary's, vvho, in 1766, re- 
moved the school from Pottern to its present situation^ 
in a small hoiuee forming part of the Oracleini\Jinster~ 
street. In the room, next the street, there is some 
old carved wainscottinor, apparently coeval with the 
building of the Oracle itself,- and there is a chimney- 
piece in the apartment behind, of a still more remote 
date. Coates thinks the house is the one named in 
the corporation deed of purchase as •* tenement op« 
posite the Rose Inn, in Minster-street.^^ Twenty six 
€hildren are taught to read and work here, namely^ 
ei^ht boys and eighteen ^irls. The capital is now 
j£'3I4. 15^. Wd. South Sea Stock, producing annually 
the sum of ^I 1. 

THE LANCASTRIAN SCHOOL. 

In the year 1809, Reading was visited by the cele- 
brated Joseph Lancaster, for the purpose of reading his 
lectures explanatory of his new system of education;: 
this proceeding vv^as attended with so much success, 
that several gentlemen of the town were induced to 
undertake the establishment of a school on the novel 
and popular Lancastrian plan, and, having formed 
themselves into a committee, they hired a room and 
commenced with a hundred boys; the result of the 
experiment exceeded the expectations of its patrons^ 
who, in cofisequence of the large encrease of the sub- 
scriptions were soon enabled to extend the benefits of 
the system to a much more extended circle than was 
at first contemplated; they accordingly purchased a 
piece -of land in Southamptori-street, in the name of 
trustees nominated for the purpose, on which tbey 
erected a building sufficiently large for the accom- 
modation of from three to four hundred boys; the 
expense of the purchase of land, and building 
amounted to nearly six hundred pounds. For the 
future government of the enlarged establishment the 
number of the managing committee was encreased ta 
twenty-one, with a treasurer and secretary, who 
were elected by the subscribers. Having procured 
one of Mr. Lancaster's teachers to undertake the 



206 HISTORY OF READING. 

superintendence of the school, the committee opened 
the new building in November, 1810, when two 
hundred children were at once admitted; the number 
is now about three hundred and fifty; the yearly cost 
for each boy does not exceed six shillings, and the 
whole annual expenditure, including the master's 
salary, does not amount to more than one hundred 
and ten pounds. The school is inspected monthly by 
two visitors, members of the committee, when they 
enter their observations in a book kept for the pur- 
pose, which is read at the monthly meeting of the 
general committee of management, who, with the 
subscribers, have frequently expressed the satisfaction 
with which they have witnessed the improvement of 
the children under the care of the superintendent; 
every information is readily afforded by the master of 
the school to the enquiries of any person, though not 
a subscriber,* who may think proper to visit the 
school, and, indeed the public inspection is courted 
by all interested in its welfare, as the best means of 
increasing the number of its supporters by being pre- 
pared at all times to point out the merits of the insti- 
tution. A small box is kept to receive the donations 
of these casual visitors, which are subsequently di- 
vided among those whose conduct or progress is con- 
sidered worthy of being rewarded; and, as a further 
encouragement, a bible is given to such boys, (on 
their leaving the school) as have attracted the notice 
and approbation of the committee, by their good be- 
haviour and improvement. 

Annual Subscribers of one guinea have the privilege 
of nominating two children to be instructed in the 
school; and subscribers of ten guineas, at one payment, 
have the same privilege., and are governors for life. 

Children are admitted from the age of five years, 
by a written recommendation from a subscriber, and 
the parents are not only required to send them neat 
and clean in their appearance, (a neglect of w^hich re- 
quest would be followed by dismissal) but they are 

* It is necessary, however, that he be introduced by a sub- 
scriber. 



HISTORY OF READIXG. 207 

also enjoiiied to attend with them some place of wor- 
ship every Lord's day ; a regulation the more necessary 
to be observed, as the object of tlie institution is solely 
to instruct the children in reading, writing, and arith- 
metic, in order to render them more useful members 
of society, '* without any reference whatsuever to sect 
or party in religious opinions/' The hours of school 
attendance are from nine to twelve o'clock, and from 
two till four; between the first day of November and 
the twenty-fifth of March; during the remainder of 
the year, the hours are, in the morning, from eight 
to twelve; and, in the afternoon, from two to five; 
each Saturday afternoon is considered a half-holiday, 
and there are two vacations, of a fortnight each, in 
August and December. In the event of a child being* 
expelled for improper behaviour, or other cause, 
immediate notice of the fact is given to the subscriber 
who presented him, that the vacancy may be filled up 
as soon as convenient. The annual subscriptions are 
collected by the master, who on depositing them in 
the hands of the treasurer, receives sixpence in the 
pound ; if the master is desirous of leaving his situa- 
tion, he is required to give two months notice in 
writing to the committee; and if the latter find just 
cause to remove him, they cannot do so without send- 
ing him a sim.ilar written notice. 

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL, 

Was established through the exertions of many in- 
fluential gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, 
aided by the clergy of the established church, who 
considered Mr. Lancaster's plan deficient as it only 
extended its benefits to boys, hut more particularly 
because it neglected to inculcate any peculiar religious 
system on the minds of the children. At a meeting 
held, on the 18th of April, 1812, the sum of four 
hundred and twenty- four pounds was subscribed, to 
meet the current expences of opening a school on 
Doctor Bell's plan of education, and the additional 
sum of one hundred and three pounds nine shillings 
was promised in annual payments, for its further 



208 HISTORY OF READING. 

support. The plan differs very little from tlie Lan- 
castrian, but it was adopted, as we have already said, 
because it was considered preferable in providing for 
the education of female children as well as of boys, 
and that, tosfether with readinof, writing, and arith- 
metic, the children are taui>ht the church catechism, 
and are broui^ht up in tlie tenets of the English Pro- 
testant Church, exclusive of all others.* 

With the sums subscribed, the committee erected 
two spacious rooms within the walls of the great hall 
of the abbey, sufficient to contain from three to four 
hundred children, with apartments, at the east end 
for the residence of the master and mistress, which 
were opened on the 6th of September, 1813, when 
nearly one hundred children were admitted. 

The society for conducting the school is carried on 
in general conformity with the plans of the national 
society in London, with which body it maintains a 
correspondence. The funds are under the manage- 
ment of a committee, any five are competent to act; 
but no rules or regulations they make, can be carried 
into effect, until they have been approved by the 
patron, president, and three of the vice-presidents of 
the society; the holders of all which offices, as well as 
all persons subscribing not less than two guineas a 
year, or making a donation of five guineas, and being 
also annual subscribers, and likewise all beneficed 
clergymen, in the deanery of Reading, being sub- 
scribers to the society, or to the national society in 
London, are competent to become members of the 
acting committee. 

THE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY. 

This school, situated in Friar-street, was established 
in the year 1802, under the patronage of Mrs. Ca- 
dogan, for female children, who are taught reading 

* The third regulation adopted by the committee of the Lan- 
castrian school, says " that no book of instruction be introduced 
into the school, but the holy scriptures, (without comments) 
extracts therefrom, Watt's hymns for children, and lessons in 
spelling and arithmetic/' 



HISTORY OF READIXG. 209 

and plain work, and are provided with clothes to ap- 
pear ill at church, on each Sabbath day. It is chiefly 
supported by the voluntary contributions of several 
ladies in the town, to whose active exertions, the 
school is mainly indebted for the hio-h character it 
bears among charitable establishments of the same 
nature. There are at present 32 children here, but 
the number has at various times, been greater; none 
are received into the shool who have not attained the 
age of 7, or who exceed 12, though they are allowed 
to remain in it after that age, if their conduct merits 
the further extension towards them of the benevolence 
of the founder, or if retaining them is likely to be 
attended with advantage to therjQselves. 

In addition to the schools we have already noticed, 
there are Sunday-schools in each of the three parishes, 
established by subscription of members of the Church 
of England; and others also, founded and supported 
by the charitable donations and exertions of members 
of the various dissenting congregations. Mr. Edward 
Simeon, an eminent benefactor to the town of Rea- 
ding, was accustomed; previous to his death, to clothe 
annually all the children attending these schools, who, 
with the many other objects of that philanthropist's 
extensive bounty, assembled every year, in the mar- 
ket place, on the election of a new mayor, and were 
regaled with plumb cake; at his decease, he be- 
queathed £2500. in trust to the corporation, to apply 
the annual interest arising therefrom in continuing to 
provide the sunday-school children with new clothes, 
to be given them the day before that of electing the 
mayor, on which day they all attend divine service 
in St. Lawrence's church. There are several private 
scholastic establishments in Reading, which, how- 
ever, do not come within our province further than to 
observe that they are generally remarkable for the 
diligence and ability with which they are conducted 
by their respctive principals* 

* Besides the schools we have above enmnerated tliere is an 
Infant School, in London -street, conducted on Mr. Wilder- 
spin's plan, the utility of which is very highly spoken of. The 
comoiittee have lately received a munilicent donation, fiom 

P 



210 HISTORY Of READmG, 

THE ORACLE. 

The orij^in of the above name ^iven to the buiklinof 
so called, near St. Mary's church is variously, and 
unsatisfactorily accounted for; and, as we have no 
aieans of settling- the disputed term ourselves we willy 
t)efore we more fully notice this establishment, quote 
the reasons adduced by Coates and Man, for the ap- 
plication of its present name, ami leave our readers 
to judge between the parties. ** Whence this building",'' 
srays the former e^entleman, ** received its name of tbe 
Oracle, can only be conjectured.'' The house pur- 
chased by the corporation bears no such name in the 
deeds relative to it, but is only described as a tene-^ 
ment opposite the Rose Inn, in Minster-street; and 
there was no large house standing on the ground 
purchased by Mr. Blagrave, that plot having' cost 
only ^32. 

"The nartie therefore of the Oracle, or the Oracle- 
liouse, was given to the building erected by the cor* 
poration; and if the conjecture may be hazarded^ 
perhaps took its origin from the handsome entrance 
or portico in Minster-^treet : such an entrance or 
portico being frequently termed an Oriel, an appel- 
lation which might easily be corrupted to Oracle." 

In support of this opinion Mr. Coates cites Mat^ 
Chew Paris, and Mr. Cowel^ on the origin of Oriel 
College, Oxford f but Mr. Man shows that the word 
Orwhim, in Matthew Paris, signifies rather a hall or 
Foom adjoining a gateway than the gateway itself, 
and is moreover disinclined to imagine that the en-^ 
trance to the Oracle could ever have been deemed of 
sufficient importance to have given a name to the 
whole building.' "The difficulty in this case, I con- 
ceive, arises wholly from the mistaken orthography 
of the name, which was probably given to it ac- 
cidentally, from the principal ingredient used in the 

Mrs. W. Stephens of £100, which sum they have appropriated to 
the purchase of a piece of ground, situated between Castle- 
street and Oxford Road, on which a school-room has been 
erected ; the additional sum^required having been raised by sub- 
^4'iption^ 



HiSTrtRY OF REAbl-NG. 211 

(Winsf business; for tlioiioh the Oracle was intended 
far the convenience of carryintr- on every branch of 
the woollen manufactory, yet it was more particularly 
so for the business of dying; many of the weavers 
being- allowed to have looms in their own houses, but 
were obliged to bring all their cloth to be dyed at the 
Oracle. 

"Among the articles principally used in the dying 
business, as then practised, was a drug originally 
brought from the Canary Islands, called Orchal, but 
imported into this country from Italy, where it was 
called Oricella, in Latin Oricola; from either of 
which> I presume the Oracle might derive its present 
name. This drug was thought of sufficient conse- 
quence to claim the attention of the legislature, as 
appears from several statutes that were passed in dif- 
ferent reigns, concerning it.* It was of such general 
use, that there tan be no doubt, but large quantities 
were stored up in some part of the building, which 
might be called the Orchal-house, and from the fre- 
quent use made of the term, be afterwards applied to 
the whole ^ the building. This is the more probable, 
as from whatever cause it arose, it is certain the name 
now given to it, was wholly accidental, it having, for 
nearly a century after its erection, been called in the 
corporation books, the work-liouse, and so it is styled 
in Archbishop Laud's decree." 

The building was erected in consequence of a legacy, 
bequeathed in 1624, by Mr. John Kendrick, (who had 
been a very successful merchant in the woollen tradef) 

* << Orchal, mentioned in the statutes of Richard III., Henry 
VIII., and Edward YT., seems to be a kind of cork, or rather 
stone, like ahim, which dyers use in their colours. — Jacobus 
Lmo Dictionary. 

*' Others say it is a kind of moss growing in the Canaries, 
\called by the Spaniards^ Orc^z7/a ; but whether it was a vegetable 
or a mineral, all agree' that it was used in dying a blue colour ; 
and the trifling difference in the sound between Orchal and 
Oracle, leaves little room to doubt, but that the latter is a cor- 
Iniption of the former, and, as such, has given the present name 
to this building." 

f ** John Kendrick borne at Reading, bred a draper in Lon- 
don, His state may be compared to the mustard-seed, from a 

H 2 



212 HISTORY OF READrXCT. 

to the mayor and burfifesses, in trust, of tlie sum of 
seven thousand five liundred pounds for the purpose 
of purchasing or erecting' a strong- and commodious 
house, in which the poor miofht be eonvStantly em- 
ployed, and to provivle materials for carrying on the 
clothing trade, and for working in wool, hemp, flax, 
grinding Brazil-wood, or preparing materials for dy- 
ing. With part of the sum be(jueathed, the cor- 
poration purchased a house in Minster-street, and 8t 
piece of ground adjoining, (the property of Anthony 
Bidgrave, Esq.) upon which the present house was 
built, at the expence of ^1,846 ; they also purchased 
some land in North-street, in the parish of Tylehurst, 
chargeable with an annuity of ^50, to Mrs. Anne 
Newman, Mr. Kendriek's sister, for the term of her 
natural life ; and, at her decease, that rent charge was 
to be applied to the necessities of the poor of the 
three parishes of Reading for ever. The full appro- 
priation of the sum bequeathed is thus accounted for, 
rn the chamberlain's accounts. 

£ s, d. 
For land in North-street, and for ground to baild 
the house upon ------- 

To Mr. Blagrave for a garden - - ^ 

Amount of several items for building the house - 
Stock employed in the work-house 
Goods bought of Mr. Kendrick - - - 
For Mr. Kendrick 's picture - - - - 

£7,505 
Coates also mentions the sum of ^150 laid out in a 
purchase at Mattingley, towards the maintenance of 
early prayers in St, Mary's church, which the poor 

small, encreasing to a prodigious bigness. If benefactors were 
digested as David's Worthies, Mr. Kendrick would be, (if not 
the last of the first) the first of the second three. His charity 
begun at his kindred, proceeded to \n9 friends and servants (to 
whom he left large legacies) and concluded with the poor, on 
whom he bestowed above ^20,000, Reading and Newbury shar- 
ing the deepest therein ; as appears by his printed will. He 
dyed 30th September. 1624, and is buried in St. Christopher^s,. 
London ; to the curate of which parish he gave £20 a year for 
ever." 

Fuller's Worthies : page 51. 



1,900 








33 








1,846 








3,600 





a 


122 








5 





o 



IfTSTORY OF READIXG, 212 

•were to attend before tliey bes^an their labour ; an^ 
ke adds in a note, **the early prayers are now at six 
iof the clock in ihe summer, except on Wednesdays, 
Fridays, and Saints' days.; and at half-past seven, from 
Michaelmas to Lady Day. 

For a feiv years, it is sai4, tbe woolkn manufactory, 
was carried on with great success; but so early as 
1639, complaint was made that the poorer class of 
manufacturers, for whose advantage the money had 
been bequeathed, were deprived of the use of it, while 
the corporation either appropriated it to purposes 
foreign to the testators intentions, or disposed of it 
among their own friends in the clothing line, who., 
from the capitals tkey thus possessed, were enabled 
to undersell their poorer competitors in the same 
line; application wa^ made to the existing govern- 
ment, by the inhabitants, in consequence of which the 
management of the charity was in some degree al- 
tered; but the decree issued by Charles I. to that 
eflfect was never acted upon to the full extend re- 
quired, and, during the civil wars, which soon after 
succeeded, the Oracle was converted into a garrison, 
and the guard constantly kept there, provided with 
wood and coals at the expence of the town; it was 
wibsequently appropriated as a refuge for the house- 
less poor, who were chiefly supported by the parish 
alms. In 166^1, it was thought proper to make the 
poor received into the house, to contribute something 
towards their own support; they were accordingly set 
to work, aoid wheels and materials were provided for 
their use, the <?harge of which was defrayed out of the 
hall revenues. It is supposed that the clothing manu- 
factory was shortly after revived at the Oracle, as 
there appears an entiy in the corporation diary, in 
1695, directing Mr. Samuel Watlington, who had 
.£200 of Mr. Kendrick^s money, "to employ twenty 
poor persons chargeable to each parish." There is 
also an order, in 1696, ** for the blue boys' gowns to 
to be bought of Mr. Watlington, mayor, of that cloth 
which is made in the Oracle." About the commence- 
ment of the reign of William and Mary, several large 
&jixms> of money weie lo^t by the failure of the persaii^ 



214 HISTORY OF READINOn 

to whom tliey were intrusted, for the purpose of em- 
ploying the poor, to the amount of ^£"1,100; and the 
city of London, in the name of the gOA^ernors of 
Christ's Hospital, bringino* various char«"es of mis- 
management a2fainst the corporation here, claimed 
the whole of the leoacy, for the benefit of the boys 
educated there, as that establishment had a rever^ 
sionary rij^ht, by the will of the donor, to the whole 
of the charity, in case of its misapplication by the 
corporation of Reading-. The claim, however, was 
imsuccessful, as the g-overnors of the charity acted 
upon a decree procured for them by Archbishop Laud, 
which conferred the entire rii^ht of acting upon their 
own discretion; at the time of the claim made by the 
city of London, this decree was confirmed by the Lord 
Chancellor, after a strict examination of witnesses^, 
and a close inspection of all books and papers con- 
Bected with the subject. ''By this decree, the rever- 
sionary right of Christ's Hospital, in case of the mis^ 
management of the trust by the corporation, appears 
to be abolished, and the whole management of the 
charity henceforward entrusted to the existing cor- 
poration, vrithout any apparent responsibility or risk 
of forfeiture." 

In 1726, the increase of the annual expences for 
the support of the poor, suggested to some of the 
principal inhabitants the idea of incorporating them 
into one body; an agreement was consequently entered 
into by the authorities of the three parishes, to unite 
In maintaining and employing their poor; the Oracle 
was fitted up by the corporation for their reception ; 
"but the expences were defrayed by the several parishes 
an equal proportions according to the number of poor 
each placed in the house, and the produce of the 
labour of the inmates was applied to the use of that 
parish to which they respectively belonged. This estab^ 
iishment, though commenced with spirit, and con-! 
ducted, for some time, with success, was discontinued^ 
at what precise period is not apparent, but it is sup-« 
posed, in consequence of the parish of St. Giles de-. 
dining to send their poor, and of some dissensions 
^m.Qng the inmates themselves. This praiseworthy 



«4ST0RY or READINtCf. 215 

scheme havins^ thus failed, the buiklino^ has ever since 
been applied, accordin«- to the decree, for the use. of 
manufacturers residing- in the town, the principal 
branches of trade, at present carried on here, are pin- 
making-, the manufactory of hemp and flax for sack- 
jnof, and one of rihbonds, sHk, and twine, which, 
Jointly afford employment to a great number of poor. 
The building itself is quadrangular, enclosing a 
square court of about one hundred and thirty feet in 
'length; the entrance or portico, though now^ in a very 
•dilapidated condition, bears some faint traces of for- 
mer beauty; at consists of a stone gateway, the pedi= 
jnent of which is supported by two pillars of the com- 
posite order, standing on slight pedestals^ thei*e is a 
niche in the centre, between the capitals, intended 
j}robably for a statute, but it is not known that any 
was ever erected there. Within the gateway are two 
folding doors of oak, covered with very elaborate 
carved ornaments^ on the left hand leaf are the initals 
I. K., with a lion between them, supposed to be the 
x^rest of the Kendrick family; and on the right I. K.^ 
1628. On the right of the gateway, within, are some 
alms-houses, inhabited by poor persons of the dif= 
ferent parishes, who are appointed hy the mayor. On 
the south side, are the workshops formerly occupied 
i3y the dyers, behind which runs the Holy or Hallowed 
Brook; the remainder of the quadrangle consists of 
workshops, and there is, besides, a large piece of 
ground, close to a branch of the Kennett, formerly- 
used as a tenter ground and garden, employed for the 
spinning of yarn, and other purposes. **The whole,''' 
says Mr. Man, 'Svas exceedingly well adapted for the 
purposes for which it w^as intended, and might have 
been of considerable advantage to the trading inha- 
bitants af the tow^n, had the funds intended for it^ 
support, been properly administered." 

THE TOWN HALL. 

This commodious building was erected in 1/86, over 
tfie free-school, and under the superintendence of 
Mr. aldermau Poulton, iu consequence of the ol^- 



216 HISTORY OF READING. 

edifice being found inconvenient for the purposes to 
whicli it was originally appropriated;* in a niche, 
over the entrance of the ancient building, there was a 
stone tablet, with the following inscription, showing 
it to have been erected at the public expence, but 
whether by subscription among the inhabitants, or by 
Avhat other means, is not known. 

Auspiciis Caroli 2 di Regis, 

Curiam hanc laBentem refici 

Augeri et ornari Curaverunt 

Sumptu puBIico Praetor et 

Decuriones hujus Municipii 

Liberali ope Johis Blagrave 

Armigeri non parum adjuti. 
MDCLXXII. 
The cost of re-building the Hall amounted to above 
j^lSOO, which was defrayed by the corporation; it is 
a very handsome room, 108 feet long, 32 wide, and 
24 high. Ac each end are courts conveniently fitted 
up for holding the Lent Assizes. During the time 
the Judges are here, on the circuit, their expences, 
which are not limited, are paid by the corporation ; 
in the corporation diary for 1640, their allowance is 
entered at ''one mutton, one veal, three barrels of 
beer, one gallon of sack, and one gallon of claret." 
Adjoining the Town Hall, is the Council Chamber, 
where the corporation hold their courts, and transact 
private business, it is also used for assembling the 
grand jury in, both at the assizes, and the quarter 
sessions. The portraits of some of the principal bene* 
factors to the town, are preserved in this room; among 
them are: 

Sir Thomas AVhite, in a scarlet gown, faced with 
fur, and sur-mounted by a gold chain; the inscription 
on the frame calls him, "A worthy benefactor, who 

* The former edifice was disfigured by a row of massive pil- 
lars, supporting heavy pointed arches, which, extending along 
the centre, through the whole length of the hall, divided it into 
two parts ; thereby rendering it very unfit for the purposes for 
which it was intended, and had therefore, been frequently com- 
plained of by the judges who occasionally held the assizes in it.'* 
Mr. Coates dates the re-building of the Town Hall on its old 
site, a year earlier than Mr. Man, whose authority we have 
preferred above. 



J 



HISTORY OF READING. 217 

gave to tliis towne of Reading", and to twenty-three 
other cities and towns, every twenty-fourth year, 
£124: more to this towne he gave two fellowships in 
St. John Bap. college in Oxford, for ever." 

Sir Thomas Rich: a kit-cat size, representing him 
with strait hair, mustachios, ?Lroj/ale, and falling l)and. 

Mr. Aldworth : a full length, in a black official 
dress ; on his left is a seuU upon a table with the words 
Mors Mihi Salus inscribed on it; his right hand is sup- 
ported by a book on another table, near which is a 
globe sur-mounted by a figure of the Virgin Mary. 

Archbishop Laud, with this inscription. 

To the memory of Dr. William Laud, Arch Bishop of Cant ; who 

was a Liberal Benefactor to this Town, which was honored 

with his Birth : 

After he had many years served the Chnrch, under the 

Defender of the Faith; King James, and King Charles 

the Martyr : 
He was solemnly murdered by a faction of Rebels, 
Upon Tower -hill, London, the 10th day of January. 

A. D. MDCXLIIII, ^tatis suae LXXIIII. 

The gift of Dr. Peter Mews. Vicar of St. Maries 

Reading, and Arch Deacon of Berks, 1667. 

Mr. John Kendrick, a three quarter length, in ei 
black dress, short hair, small band, and hand and neck 
ruflfs. The picture is surrounded by Latin inscriptions, 
which, however, contain nothing sufficiently remarli- 
able in them, for their number, to induce us to tran- 
scribe them. 

THE DISPENSARY. 

This most useful institution is situated in Chain- 
lane, in a house now the property of the corporation, 
and which was formerly occupied by the Blue-coat 
School. Its advantages are extended to all the poor 
who stand in need of relief, but are unable to pay for 
its being afforded them; they are supplied here, not 
only with advice, but with medicine, gratis, under 
the direction of some of the professional gentlemen of 
the town, who give their attendance daily, for that 
benevolent purpose. Since its establishment, in 1802, 
up to the last day of December 1832, the total number 
of patients admitted, amouuled to 17,659 j the ex- 



218 HISTORY OF READING^ 

pences incurred by the committee of directors in tfie 
management of this institution are defrayed by vo- 
luntary subscriptions, of which there was received, in 
the year, 1832, the sum of ^168 lO.y. Od. ; the total 
amount of receipts for the same year, includinuf a 
balance of .^13 15^. 7(i* of the year precedins:, divi- 
dends on stock, &c. was ^335 O.v. 7d.; out of which 
^55 \\s. Od. were paid for drugs; and on various 
other charges being defrayed, including those for 
salary to an officer of the establishment, surgical in- 
struments, and repairs; printing, advertising, and 
stationery; insurance, rent, coals, ^c. &c there was a 
balance left in hand of £S5 Os. Td,^ which does not 
amount to a sum sufficient for paying for one years 
supply of drugs, and which shows how very nearly 
the disbursements equal the receipts. The following 
general statement of Reading Dispensary for two 
years, 1831 and 1832, will at once point out the utility 
and efficiency of this institution, and show how well 
worthy it is of the contributions of those benevolent 
persons who are disposed to alleviate the miseries of 
their poorer fellow creatures, by supporting an estab- 
lishment which only requires that support to enable it 
In a yet more extended degree to restore health to the 
jsick, and to relieve the pains of the afflicted. 

GENERAL STATEMENT for 1831. 

Aggregate miinber of patients admitted - , , 784 

Cured .--.., 618 
Relieved - - - - - - * 56 

Jrregular - . - - * - 10 

Bent to parishes . - - ,. 6 

Died - - ..... - 13 

Remain on the Books - . « 82 - - 784 
Vaccinated - 130. 

GENERAL STATEMENT for 1832. 

Aggregate number of patients admitted - , - 656 

Of which there have been cured * - 501 

Relieved 49 

Irregular ------ 7 

Sent to parishes ... - 8 

Died 21 

Jlemain on the books - - - - 70 - - 656 
Vaccinated this year, 64, Total uuraber vaccinated - 23<S 



£ 


s. 


d. 


21 


6 





31 


10 





12 


13 





37 


5 





18& 








72 


10 


m 


5 








5 





Q 


25 








19 


19 


Q 


20 





Q 


350 








40 


5 


n 


10 









HISTORY or READING. 219 

The folio wing- is a list of donations presented iq 
the institution : — 

1802 Mr. Thornton's produce of two plays 

1 804 Officers of the Oxford Volunteers - 

1807 Dr. Valpy's profits of a Greek play 

1812 Mr, Binfield's music meeting 

E, Simeon, Esq. (legacy) - - - 

1S18 Dr. Valpy's profits of a play ^ - - 

1820 Mrs. Sarah Haggard's legacy 

Mrs. Oliver - ... - 

M. Annersley, Esq. (legacy) 

1825 Mrs, Thorpe's legacy - - - - 

1826 Mr. Briscoe's legacy - - - - 

Rev. W. H. Woodroffe's legacy, (3 per cent.) 

Thos. Ring, Esq,; John May, Esq.; and 
P. W. French, Esq. ; executors - - ] 

1827 ProfitsofDr,Valpy's Greek play ^ 
1833 Mrs. Walsham's legacy ^ - - 

THE COUNTY GAOL. 

The .Sfaol, placed very conspicuously among the 
ruins of the abbey, was erected in 1793. The north 
wing is built on the spot which was formerly the 
cemetery of the abbey church; and, on diflf^in^' the 
foundation for that partj several human skeletons were 
discovered, which, from the various depths below the 
surface at which they were found deposited, are sup- 
posed to have been hastily interred; the bones and 
teeth also were in a perfect state, and from the con-, 
nection of these facts, it is imagined that the remains, 
were those of a part of Essex's army who fell victims 
to an epidemic fever which proved very fatal to his 
forces, and which caused him to defer the preparations, 
he was then making, in 1643, for undertaking the 
siege of Oxford. The workmen made some further 
discoveries in the course of their proceedings for- 
clearing a space for the foundation; among others^^ 
were some counters, called abbey-pieces, and a six-. 
pence of the reign of Henry VIII,, with the face in 
profile, and aport-cullis for the mint mark, shewing 
it was coined at Westminster; the principal disco very,^ 
however, was that of Queen Adeliza's hand, or, at 
least, an interesting relic so called, which has been, 
preaeuted to the Philosophical Institution, where it 



220 HISTORY OF READING. 

may be seen, our readers will also find a description of 
it in our notice of the varied contents of the Museum 
attached to that Institution, to which we refer them. 
The lenorth of this prison is 163 feet 6 inches in front, 
and 137 feet 6 inches in depth; it has been consi- 
derably enlarged since the period of its erection, at 
which time it had not room for more than forty pri- 
soners; but it can now receive a hundred and twenty- 
four ; at times of excitement and riot, as many as two 
hundred and fifty have been contained within the 
walls, but with very great inconvenience. The keeper's 
hou-se is very commodious; there is also within the 
building, a room for the reception of the magistrates, 
a neat chapel, an infirmary, a few ceils for the re- 
fractory, some solitary cells, and a bath and fumigat- 
ing room. The prisoners are divided, according to 
their sex, each inhabiting a separate wing of the 
building, which is divided into several wards, where 
there are day rooms for labour, and other apartments; 
and between the inner and outer wall, there is a large 
space set apart for walking and other exercises; on 
the tread wheel each prisoner walks at the rate of 
13000 feet in ascent, per day of ten hours. During 
the present year (1833) the mao^istrates have consi- 
derably enlarged the yard at the back of the gaol, in 
which they have built a boys' ward with an hospital 
for the sick prisoners over it. The expences of these 
improvements were partly defrayed by a sum of j^lOOO 
bequeathed for that benevolent purpose, by the late 
A. 8hutz, Esq. 

Cost of the maintenance of Prisoners for three months, 

£ s, d. 
Bread - - - - « 141 17 

Oatmeal - - - - - 

Meat --..-- 

Salt 

Vegetables - - - - - 

Fuel, &c.* - - - - - 

* Mrs. Deane left, among many other charities, the interest 
of £150 to be applied in purchasing fuel for the use of the pri- 
soners in the coimty gaol, ; with this legacy, bequeathed in 
1787, the sum of £156 175. Sc?., was purchased in the 4 per 
cents t the dividend on which sum amounts to £6 5*^ M* 



19 


13 





34 


14 





1 


6 





13 


11 


6 


61 


10 






£ 


s. 


d. 


26 


2 


6 


34 


6 


4 


76 


15 


11 


71 


2 


6 


8 


8 


6 



HISTORY OF READING. 221 



Sick Prisoners - - - - 

Clothing ----- 

Incidentals - - - - - 

Conveyance of Prisoners - - - 

Discharged Prisoners - - • 

£489 6 3 
The cost of New Works during the above period amounted to 
£250 05. Od.y and the expence of repairs, during the same 
space of time, was £85 Ss, Od. The officers attached to the 
gaol are a Chaplain, and Gaoler, who receive salaries of £200 
per annum; a Surgeon, who receives annually £70, and a 
Turnkey, and Matron, who are paid yearley, the former £52, 
and the latter £52 10s. 0^., it will be thus seen that the 
total expences of the county prison during the period we 
have named, amounted to the large sum of £968 6s. 9d, 
viz : — ^ 

£ s, d. 
New Works ----- 250 

Repairs ------ 8580 

Maintenance of Prisoners - - - 489 6 3 
Quarterly Salaries - - - - 143 12 6 



£968 6 9 

GENERAL VIEW OF THE TOWN. 

Reading, the county town of Berkshire, is situated 
in 51° 25*^ N. Latitude, and 0^ 38^ W. Longitude; it 
is bounded, on the north, 8y the Thames, which de- 
vides it from Oxfordshire; on the south, by the ham- 
lets of Wliitley and Southcott; on the east, by the 
parish of Sonning; and on the west, by the parish of 
Tilehurst. There is no proof tliat it was the Pontes of 
the ancients, as mentioned byLeland; the absence of 
all Roman remains, whether of roads, buildings, or 
coins, is sufficient of itself to overthrow that con- 
jecture, if it were not already destroyed by the face 
that the alleged distance of Pontes and the actual 
distance of Reading from the metropolis, diiFer too 
materially to allow of the supposition of their occupy- 
ing the same site. The Rev. Thomas Reynolds, in his 
edition of the Itineraries of Antoninus and Richard 
of Cirencester, fixes on this town as occupying the 
spot where formerly stood the Roman town Callevay 
but this opinion is only supported by repeated cor- 



222 HISTORY OF REAbiNGi 

rections of distances in the different Iters where Calletrd 
is mentioned, and is refuted by the same objections 
we have just instanced in the case of Pontes. Tliere 
fan be but little doubt that Reading was founded by 
the Saxons, and it is probably indebted, not indeed 
for its be^innino-, for therie is proof of its existing 
enterior to the period we are about to mention, but for 
its subsequent importance, to Elfrida, the mother of 
St. Edward the Martyt*, who built a convent for nuns, 
in the tenth century oh thie site now occupied by the 
parish church of St. Mary, and which was soon after 
destroyed by the t)anes, who cruelly murdered the re- 
ligious inmates. It has been thought that the female 
lieads on the corporation seal, refer to this foundation; 
these heads are in saltire, on a field azure, and the 
iniddle one, is crowned, with the initials E. R. intro- 
duced in compliinent to Queen Elizabeth, who fre- 
quently resided here, and to whom the town, generallyj 
and the corporation in particular, were deeply in- 
debted for various acts of munificence and conde- 
scension. Whether such be the origin of the arms ot* 
iiot we have no means of ascertaining • the nun- 
nery, however^ that they are supposed to allude to> 
shared but in the general destruction of the town by 
the same enemy, and was longer in recovering its for- 
mer consequence; during the reign of William I., it 
still remained in ruins,* while the town itself con- 

* This house, the est?ablishment of which was a penitential 
act of the Queen Elfrida, was finally suppressed by Henry I.j 
who gave the land to the Abbey ; it was one of the three reli- 
gious houses founded by that queen> in expiation of the enor- 
mities of a pretty, long life ; the second was in the county of 
Southampton, or in Wiltshire; and the third at Harewood, in 
Yorkshire; the last was erected on the spot where her seducer 
Athelwold was slain by the outraged King Edgar. They who 
have visited the domain of the t^arl of Harewood, will re- 
member an opeh space of about one acre, in the centre of a 
thick wood, and about half a mile west of the picturesque ruins 
of the old castle, which still retains the name of Ghesne^plain,. 
br the space in the wood ; and to which tradition points as the 
scene of the murder, and the site of the nimnery. *' The Kynge," 
feays Higden, in his Polichronicon, *' had the erle with hym, for 
to hunt in tlie wode of Wer-welley, (Wharf- vale) that is now 
called Hoore Wade. (Harewood) There the kynge smote him 
through wyth a shafte." 



ttlSTORY OF READING. 223 

sisted, at the Norman conquest, of nothino- more than 
a few dilapidated houses, insurticient in tliemselves to 
give it claim to a title which it formerly possessed, 
and which its ruins retained. 

Durino- the two succeedinsf reigns, however, of 
William Rufus and Henry I. it must have increased 
rapidly; but this progressive prosperity was suddenly 
checked by the turbulent state of the times, and the 
savage violence that characterized the eighteen years 
dominion of the usurper Stephen. The followers of 
the latter kino- took refuge in Reading, and induced 
the inhabitants to hold out against the Empress 
Matilda; for which opposition to his mother's title 
Henry II., on taking possession of the town, eutirely 
demolished the castle which had been erected here by 
Stephen, in defence of his claim. The situation of 
this castle has been much disputed, and many have 
supposed that the town possessed two at the same' 
time, an opinion, however, which cannot be supported 
Iry any evidence beyond conjecture. Leland says that 
a castle existed here ,in tlie time of the Saxons ; but 
lie could not learn its situation, and was unable to 
decide whether, according to tradition, its site was at 
the west end of Castle-street, near the ancient place of 
execution, or on the tract of land occupied by the Abbey. 
As there is nothing to pf ove the co-existence here of twa 
castles, so is there as little available proof of there 
ever having existed any built by the Saxons, or that 
there was evef one at all situated at the west end of 
the street, the name of which is supposed to be a 
record of the fact. Two instances have been cited tcr 
demonstrate the improbability of the Saxons having 
been the founders of the building in question : one is,- 
that they were never in the habit of erecting castles- 
to defend their possessions, and the other, that Read- 
ing could not have been of sufficient consequence iii 
their time to have required such a security. The' 
commanding situation of the west end of Castle-street 
probably su«:gested the idea of its having been occu- 
pied by a military work. The position is undeniably 
a fine one, but in the absence of any other proof tha» 
what can be draAvn from this casual ciremnstance, we 



224 niSTORY OF reading. 

cannot believe that the castle stood on this side of the 
town ; and with regard to the derivation of the name 
of one of the streets, we are inclined to ag-ree with 
the suif2festion that it was so named after some inn in 
the vicinity, a suogestion the more probable when it 
is recollected that several known instances of the 
same derivation of the names of streets occur even in 
this town. 

The commonest reader does not require to be told 
that the period of Stephen was the ^reat castle-building 
ag'e of English history; eleven hundred forteresses 
are said to have been erected in this one reign, by 
the barons; and Stephen himself raised no less than 
one hundred and fifteen in defence of his unjust and 
disputed title. We entertain little doubt that the 
castle, of the real existence of which in this town 
there is historical evidence, and which was destroyed 
by the young hope of the Plantaganets, was one of 
the buildings erected for the purpose we have above 
mentioned by Stephen, and that it was situated 
within the confines of the Abbey, but not, as conjec- 
tured by Leland, upon the site of that structure. 
Mr. Man, who displayed great zeal and industry in his 
researches to discover the precise spot upon which 
the castle stood, was induced to believe, after much 
consideration, that it was erected on the South East 
corner of the Forbury, near Blake's bridge, where he 
found some ruins in a very dilapidated state, but 
which, he thought, bore evidence of having been 
intended for a place of defence. This spot, near the 
river, is at such a distance from the Abbey; that, 
though within its precincts, it must have been an 
entirely distinct building. The ruinous state of the 
structure, (and it no longer bears the appearance 
presented in the plate published by Mr. Man) rendered 
the tracing of its original form a work of difficulty, 
but it was conjectured to have been a square building* 
with projecting towers at the four corners, of about 
fifty feet in height, and so well placed as to entirely 
command the river and the bridge, which was the only 
entrance to the Abbey, on that side of the town. It 
is impossible, however, still to state with any degree 



HISTORY OF READIXG. 225 

of certainty that this spot was the site of the castle 
destroyed by Henry ; and there is nothing to shew 
that the ruins were not the work of a later age thaa 
Stephen of Blois. Cooke, that indefatigable compiler 
of topographical works, mentions the existence of 
traces of two bastions near the ruins of the Abbey, 
but, he adds, that they vvere known to be modern, by 
their figure, and suggests their having been probably 
constructed during the civil war in Charles the First's 
time, and destroyed at the revolution. Thu* the site 
of this celebrated castle may still remain matter of 
dispute, though there can be none of its having existed, 
and indeed little of its having been situated on the 
abbey side of the town ; all vestiges of it may be said 
to have disappeared, and its destruction seems to have 
been too complete to make even the preservation of 
its ruins a matter of interest. It was long a favourite 
employment with our forefathers, (and one which had 
to do with the aifections) to arrest the hand of time, 
that was gradually and silently destroying these mute 
yet eloquent records of a by-gone age ; and, at least, 
to check the course of ruin, even though they could 
not repair it; where, indeed, the latter was possible, 
the old edifices were converted into modern residences, 
while a strict and reverential regard was observed ia 
the preservation of their ancient forms and figures. 
It was any thing but a Gothic taste that inspired the 
spirit of adapting the crumbling holds of feudal lords 
and pursy monks, to the purposes of modern refine- 
ment; ii^e, at all events, have little cause to complain, 
as it is to this spirit we owe the existence of many of 
the most noble structures, thus preserved, or thus 
adapted, which lend an additional beauty to many of 
the picturesque portions of our country. The castle 
and abbey of Reading have been less fortunate, one 
has perished, the otlier is fast disappearing, and to 
neither can we apply the lines which have served to 
illustrate one of the remains of the stirring times of 
sovereign abbots and reiving earls: 

The pile that frowned 
In conscious strength of arch and tower, 
On flood and field, on all around, 

Q 



2^ ErrsTORY of REAnrNra, 

On warrior's keep and lady *s bower. 
Stands unsubdued, in pride of age^ 
Its beauty mellowed, not all flown, 

liike sunamer years of matron sage, 

Where Love may yet build up his throne, 

Its frowns erased, in mildness bland, 
It rears a head that Time has spared. 

Or touched but light, as though his hand 
To press upon it had not dared,* 

The division of the town into wards is of very 
ancient origin, and still continues, with a constable 
appointed to each ward, the extent of which is thus 
regulated. Hi oh fVard includes Duke-street, King- 
street, the Market Place, Friar-street, Vastern Lane, 
Hog Lane, Cross-street, &c. New PFard contains^ 
Butcher Row, Fisher Row, Broad-street, Chain Lane, 
the Forbury, and the Wharf on the North side of the 
Kennet. In Minster JVard are Gun-street, Castle- 
street, Pigmy Lane, Minster-street, and St. Mary'^s 
church yard. Old Ward comprises Southampton- 
street, Horn-street, Seven Bridges, St. Mary's Butts, 
West-street, Hosier's Lane, Russell-street, &c. and in 
London fVard are London-street, Mill Lane, Church 
Lane, St. Giles's church yard. Silver-street, Ort Lane, 
and the Wharfs on the South side of the Kennet. In 
1080, when Domesday Book was compiled, the number 
of hagas or houses constituting the town of Reading 
did not exceed 28, and Mr. Coates, who favours the 
hypothesis of a fortified work having existed at the 
Western extremity of the town, thinks it probable 
tliat these houses were situated in the immediate 
neighbourhood of the '*arx or eastlein Castle-street.'' 
The number of houses continued to increase after the 
foundation of the Abbey, in 1 126, shortly subsequent 
to which event buildings were erected in its vicinity ; 
in 1 134, in a deed about the time of the second abbot 
Anscherius, mentian is made of the Soteria or Shoe- 
maker's Row, on the East side of the Market Place, 
which is said **to be near the Abbey wall;" from this 
point the buildings extended westward; in 1308, we 
fed Duke Street or Novus Ficus, as it was then caikd> 
* Lines on Lacock Abbey^ county of Wilts,. 



HISTORY OF READING. 227 

and between that period and 1335 there arose London 
Street, High street, Minster Street, High Bridge, 
Tothill (near the gateway of the George Inn) and the 
Drapery or Cloth Market, opposite to it. In deeds 
dated about this period, we also find Sonkere, Sinkerc, 
or Le Sinker Street, subsequently called Siveyer Street, 
and now Silver Street. The name of Minster Street may 
either refer to its being the street leading to the mon- 
astery, through what is now the Saracen's Head Inn, or 
more probably to the adjacent Minster Church of St. 
Mary. We have mentioned, in another part of this 
work, that Siveyer street was so named from its being 
occupied by the sieve makers, but Coates notices an- 
other derivation from the name of a family who held 
possessions in Reading in 1458, of which this street 
may have formed part ; the name of ** Rose, daughter 
of Richard Seaver " appears in the register oif the 
parish of St. Lawrence for the year 1686. 

The following list will show the ancient and present 
appellations of the streets which have, at various 
periods, changed their names : 

New Street, now called - Friar Street 

Chapel HiU, Town's End - Friar's Place 

Old Street ... Horn street 

Wade Street - - - St, Mary's Butts 

Lurkman Lane - - Hosiers' Lane 

Cattle's Grove Lane - Kate's Grove Lane 

Orte Lane - - - New Street and Albion Place 

The Ortes, or Abbey Lane Watlington Lane 

Orte Bridge - - - Blake's Bridge 

Town Ortes - - - Boult's Wharf 

Budden Lane - - - Red Lane 

Sievyer street - - - Silver street 

Tute Hill, Tothill - - North End of Minster street 

Yield or Guild Hall - - Hill Hall 

Sun Lane ... King Street 

Ox Street ... Butcher's Row 

Cheese Row and Fish Row * Fisher Row 

* Before the cheese fair was removed to the Forbury, it 
was held in this street, and all the cheese sold was obliged to 
be weighed in the town — scales kept in the wool-hall. This 
street was also appropriated to the sale of fish and gardenage, 
as appears froia the following order, made by the corporation, 
i& the 3i5t of Queen Elizabeth ; 

Q 2 



228 HISTORY OF READING. 

Rotten Row - - - West Street 

Shoemaker's Row - - East Side of Market Place 

The Sanctuary - - - South Side of Crown Lane 

Gutter L'ane, or Potters^ Lane Cross Street 

Hythe Bridge - - - High Bridge 

Back Lane - ^ - East streef 

In 1233, the year in wIiigIi the Friary was erected, 
there were very few houses near k ; but before the year 
1347, all the ancient streets named in the above list 
had been founded, and some of them were of a much 
remoter date. In 1610 the tmvn occupied very nearly 
the same space of ground that it now does, so that in 
mere extent Reading has not much increased since 
that period,^ but the number of its houses is more 
than ten times as great ; every street now consists of 
its regular and undivided lines of houses, while, at 
the time Speed^s map was taken (1610) V^astern-lane, 
Boarded-lane, Pigmy-lane, Kate's Grove-l^ane, Church- 
street, East-street, with great part of West-street. 
Seven Bridges, Horn-street, Southampton-?treet, and 
Cross-street, besides most of the courts and entries, 
were then only partially built on. T he middle row of 
houses, between tlse Pump and the Cage (or Compter 
Prison), as they appear in Speed's Plan of Reading, 
were taken down in 1613, according to Mr. Blagrave's 
will, and as the prosperity of the town continued to 
increase, the inhabitants began to attend to its 
improvement, which appears to have been neglected 
since the alterations effected in accordance with the 
will of the gentleman above named. In 1/60, Mr. 
John Richards, an eminent draper, and alderman of 
tke borough, purchased a row of houses which had 
long divided the present King-street into two lanes, 
called Sun -lane and Back-lane, which he pulled 
down, and converted the site into one open street for 
the benefit of the public. The new street received 
the appellation which it now bears in honour of the 

"It is this CWLj agreed, by the company present, that all kind 
of boatmen as do use this town, shall bring all kind of fish, 
which they do bring, into the Cheese-iewe, alias Fish-rewe, 
except it be all shell fish, and as for roots, onions and such. 
Hke, theye male sell them in their boate, paying toll therefore/' 



niSTbRY OF READING. 229 

at!cession of George III. who ascended the throne of 
the United Kingdom in the year above mentioned. It 
has been very justly remarked that if this improve- 
ment had been extended by taking- down the houses 
which separate Butcher-row and Fisher-row, the 
communication between the western parts of the 
town and the market-place would have been rendered 
much more convenient than it now is; the truth of 
the remark is self evident, and the necessity 
of the alteration seems to have been apparent at 
so early a date, that it is said Archbishop Laud 
had projected a plan not only for the improvement 
afterwards effected by Mr. Richards, but also for 
throwing open Butcher Row and Fisher Row into one 
street, and for considerably extending and heautifying 
Broad Street, in which he was boriu 

In 1550 the town was paved with flints and round 
pebbles, which rendered the streets, though of them- 
selves broad aad stately, Tery inconvenient to foot 
passengers. Dr. Lloyd, in a letter dat^d 1641, and 
addressed to Dr. Bayly, president of St. John's, re- 
commends the latter to make application to Archbishop 
Laud for permission to expend the fines, from one of 
his Grace's benefactions, every eighth year, upon 
pitching the streets with stone, and in repairing the 
bridge and adjacent highways; adding his assurance 
that the inhabitants would retain a more sensible and 
sweeter savour of the archbishop's munificence from 
this permission than from all other liherality. The 
application however was either never made, or if so, 
was unsuccessful, fo=r the streets remained for many 
years in a ruinous state, from the negligent manner 
in which they were generally repaired ; each inhabi- 
tant was obliged to keep in repair so much of the 
pitching before his house as extended from his door 
to the kennel which divided the street in the middle; 
the consequence was, that every householder being 
permitted to follow his own fancy as to the way of 
keeping his allotted space in repair, and no two 
householders being ever found to agree in their 
methods, the streets were rendered both inconvenient 
and unhealthy -, incouyeuient from tlie uneye^ness of 



230 HISTORY Of READmC 

of the pitching, as well as dangerous and incommo- 
dious at night from the posts, rails, and trees, dispersed 
over them ; impassable too in heavy rains, vi^hen the 
one central kennel became of course flooded ; and 
unhealthy from the stagnated waters which collected 
in the hollows, caused by the neglect of observing a 
true level. To remedy these inconveniences, a bill 
was brought into parliament, in 1 784*, " for paving, 
watching, and lighting the Town of Reading,^' and 
which, notwithstanding all the advantages to be 
derived from it, met with much apparently inex- 
plicable opposition, which, though it did not succeed 
in defeating the measure, materially encreased the 
cxpences of carrying it, safely and securely, into 
effect; the inhabitants are indebted for all the ad- 
vantages and comfort which this improvement has 
conferred upon the town, to the persevering efforts 
of John Deane, Esq,, who was Mayor of the borough, 
at the period of the introduction of the bill into the 
House of Commons. The act of parliament which was 
thus procured, authorised the Commissioners to assess 
the houses of all the occupiers within the borough, at 
the following rate ; — sixpence in the pound for all 
houses, the rents whereof amounted to not less than 
five pounds per annum, and did not exceed twenty:-— 
nine-pence in the pounds for ail houses above twenty 
pounds per annum, and under forty : — and one 
shilling in the pound for all houses of which the oc- 
cupiers paid a higher yearly rental than forty pounds. 
Instead of waiting for the slow progress of raising the 
rates before commencing the work, (a proceeding 

* The high roads leading into the town had been greatly 
improved in the earlier part of the century mentioned above, 
previous to which they hadjbeen during a long course of years 
almost impassable ; so much so, indeed, that ** nearly within 
the limits of the borough, a single carriage could seldom 
proceed on its journey^ until others came up to its assistance/' 
Hie whole western line between London and Bath remained in 
ttie same disagreeable state till the evil was remedied by the 
formation of turnpike roads, a few years before which, the 
journey between those two places, in unfavourable weather, 
Teqmred as much time as it now takes to perform the journ^ 
l)€tweea ttie metropolis and Edinburgh* 



HISTORY Ot READING. 23l 

which would have defeated the ends of the bill) the 
Commissioners raised the money necessary to carry 
their measures into efFeet, by borrowing eight hundred 
pounds on two lives at the rate of ten per cent, but 
this amount raised by life annuities being found in- 
sufficient for the purpose, a further sum af one thous- 
and pounds was borrowed, by a voluntary loan, free 
of interest. By the aid of these sums, the useful 
work was completed, in a very short time; the first 
fitone was laid, on the first of August, 1785, on which 
day a numeroutj body of the friends to the bill, went 
in procession to the house of the Mayer, John Deane, 
Esq., in Castle street, and in compliment to that gen- 
tleman, by whose exertions the act had been pro- 
cured, the first stone was laid before his house, witk 
the following inscription. 

^* By virtue of an act passed this present Session, 
in the 25th year <^f the reigH of His Majesty, Kin,^ 
George the Third, for paving this borough, this fir^ 
stone was laid, the 8th day of August, 1785, 

John Deane, Esq., Mayor.'* 

Nimis aspera satio levabit cultu 
Oppidi cultus officium magistratus* 
J. F. HUl, Masoiu 

The Town has greatly improved, under the powers 
granted by this act, though the rate levied in order t© 
enable the Commissioners to keep the borough cleaa, 
properly paved, and well-lit, was long and strenuously- 
resisted; in 1794, application was mad« to parlia- 
ment for a Sunday Toll, to lesson the tax on the inha- 
bitants of Reading for paving, lighting, and watching 
the town, but it was not attended with success, and 
has not, we believe, been repeated. Tlie town is now lit 
with gas;* by the provisions of th« act above named, 
the process of lighting v\^as by lamps furnished with, 
oil, and whicji were suspended in front of the houses, 
at due intervals of space, from Michaelmas to Lady 
Day ; before the period of the bill, the streets were 
never regularly, and consequently always ill-lighted^ 
at what time lights were first introduced here, at all, 

* Hie To^^n was first lit with gas in the year 1819« 



232 HISTORY OF READING* 

is not known, but from the following entry in the 
Corporation Diary, dated 1656, it is clear it could not 
have been previous to that year: ** upon the petition 
of Richard Riddett, Bellman, agreed that he be allowed 
ten shillings for his pains in warning the inhabitants 
to hang out lanthorns, and candles, in the dark nights." 

SUPPLY OF WATER. 

The town is supplied with water from the river 
Kennet, by pipes, which communicate with a reser- 
voir in Broad-street, and also from several wells which 
have been opened in various streets, and it is remark- 
able that those wells, which are situated near the 
above river, rise and fall with the Thames which is at 
a much greater distance from them. It is supposed, 
from this circumstance, that the bed of the Thames is 
much lower than that of the Kennet, and detaches its 
springes under the bed of the latter ; this is possibly 
true for the bed of the Kennet, in its passage through 
the town, is formed of hard impervious clay, wliile 
that of the Thames consists of chalk, a material which 
readily imbibes water, and in digging for welli here 
it has been found necessary to penetrate this substratum 
of chalk, before water could be procured. That the 
Thames, however, does not form the only source from 
whence the wells are supplied, is proved by the difference 
in the qualities of the springs in various parts of the 
town. At the Bridewell, the water is so corrosive that 
in the space of twelve years, it perforated the cistern 
like a sieve, three or four times ; this hard quality of 
the water, in a greater, or less degree is observable in 
all the wells on the north sides of Friar-street, Broad- 
street, Minster-street, and Castle-street, and also on 
the more elevated half of the opposite side of the latter 
street, while on the lower half, and on the south sides 
of all the above streets, and in Gun-street, the water 
in the wells is so free from every corrosive matter, 
that it has not been found requisite to repair the leaden 
pipes for a whole century; as this increased degree of 
softness is found in the springs the nearer they ap- 
proach the Kennet, it is probably derived from that 
river, the quality of which partakes of the soil over 



HISTORY OF READING. 233 

which it flows; from its source to the point where, 
after passiiii';' through Readinir, it unites its waters 
with the Jhames, the Kennet runs over a soil com- 
posed of peat and vegetable matter, or stiff clay, the 
great predominance of the former is sufficient to ren- 
der the water soft, while the chalky substratum of the 
Thames, abounding, as it does, with sulphate of lime, 
is supposed to impregnate the water with the corrosive 
quality it possesses ; and which, rendering it unfit for 
many domestic purposes, induced some spirited per- 
sons to erect works to obtain a more abundant supply 
from the waters of the Kennet, and to distribute it at 
a small expence to most of the houses in the town. This 
necessary undertaking was planned in 1694, and, two 
years after, the mayor and corporation granted to 
Ambrose Crawley, Daniel Dennell, Edward Dyson, 
and Richard Lowbridge, the lease of a piece of land 
near the Kennet, called Brownhill, for a thousand 
years, at the yearly rent of five shillings, to erect their 
engine house; and in the following year the same per- 
sons obtained a lease from George Blagrave, Esq., of 
a piece of land, near the mills in St. Giles's parish, 
called Mill Orchard ; with liberty of taking a sufficient 
quantity of water out of the Kennet, not exceeding 
100 square inches, (for the purpose of turning the 
water wheel) at the annual rent of ^8 for a thousand 
years. The supply thus raised from the small and 
imperfect engine was, for a long space of time, very 
inadequate to the necessities of the town; the man- 
agers were void of skill, the works were not kept in 
repair, through a deficiency of funds, and were daily 
becoming more inefficient, through the neglect of 
those who held proprietorships, and who had acquired 
the little interest they possessed in the concern, from 
having purchased, at a low price, the original* large 
shares, which had been subdivided and sold to various 
individuals, many of whom did not reside in the town. 
This disgraceful state of the water supply continued 
till the commencement of the present century, when 
the principal shares were purchased by two gentlemen 
of the place, who erected a very superior engine, on 
an improved principle, and who are enabled to supply 



234 HISTORY OF READING. 

the most distant and highest parts of the town with 
water, and with so great a degree of certainty, that 
it is seldom interrupted, except at periods of high 
floods, or severe frosts. 

INLAND NAVIGATION. 

The Kennett, which enters Berkshire at Hunger- 
ford, was rendered navigable from Newbury to Read- 
ing in the year 1716; the bill that was brought into 
parliament, previou.s to the measure being effected, 
met with great opposition from various parties in 
the town; the inhabitants generally taking every means 
to obstruct its progress through the house, from the 
persuasion that the change would materially affect, if 
not entirely ruin their trade; the corporation opposed 
it, under the plea of supposed danger to the several 
bridges : and the proprietors of the water works and 
mills, and the owners of the wharfs also resisted the 
innovation, and prayed to be heard by counsel at the 
bar of the house, against the bill; which notwith- 
standing the zealous efforts of its adversaries, passed 
the Commous on the 13th of August, and received the 
royal assent shortly after. The powers however which 
were thus granted to the commissioners for improving 
the navigation of the Kennett, were found to be inad- 
equate for the purpose ; but they were considerably 
enlarged by a new bill obtained in 1720, and which 
passed the house without meeting with any opposition 
from this borough. The carrying this measure into 
effect has not been attended with any of those disas- 
trous results to the trade of the town, which were at 
first foretold,* but, on the contrary, has been rather 

* " The extensive tract of inland navigation, now opened, 
■which is daily extending itself through the kingdom, has in- 
creased the trade of Reading to a very considerable degree. 
From the centre of Wiltshire to Reading there is now a navi- 
gation of 34 miles, affording on the one hand, by means of the 
Thames, an introduction for the various articles of merchandize 
from London and Oxford, where the communication with 
Sirmingham, and the potteries in Staffordshire, is regular and 
expeditious, and a ready market for peat, peat-ashes and coals. 
On the other hand, it facilitates the exportation of cheese, the 
great staple of North Wiltshire : the price of carriage of that 



HISTORY OP READING. 235 

beneficial than otherwise to the general interests of 
the place ; what triflins;- loss may have been sustained 
at the period of this extension of the navigation, has 
been compensated for by a new influx of trade, arisinaj- 
from the communication now opened with Bath and 
Bristol, and the north-west parts of the kingdom, by 
means of the Kennett and Avon canal ; and the prin- 
cipal articles derived from this channel of communi- 
cation at present are Bath free-stone and Somersetshire 
pit coals, which have been introduced here in consi- 
derable quantities. The productions of 

*<The Kennett swift, for silver eels renowned," 

are, besides that fish, pike, cray fish, chub, roach, and 
dace; barbel is caught in it as far west as Newbury, 
and it also produces, very near this town, trout of a 
very delicate flavour; some have been taken measuring 
forty-five inches in length, and weighing more than 
fifteen pounds.* From the High Bridge to its junction 
with the Thames, the Kennett, by authority of parlia- 
ment, is placed under the controul of the Thames 
Commissioners : the navigation above the High Bridge 
is very intricate and dangerous, but it has been much 
improved below that by the cutting and erecting a 
canal and pound lock. The High Bridge was formerly 
of wood, but the corporation took down the old struc- 

article from Himgerford, being now only 20s. per ton, little 
more than one third of the price by land carriage. By this line 
<yf navigation is conveyed chalk for manure, clay and flints for 
the potteries in Staffordshire, besides the various heavy articles 
brought from Wales, through Bristol, for London;" and the 
facilities have encreased, with a corresponding diminution ia 
the expence of carriage, since the above was written by Mr* 
Ck)ates. 

* '*On the first of November, 1755, being the same day oa 
■which the city of Lisbon was destroyed by an earthquake, a re- 
markable agitation was perceived here, in the waters of the 
Kennet, whether this phenomenon was at all connected with 
that melancholy event, would be difficult to ascertain, hut from 
the coincidence of time, and from the like agitation having been 
perceived tn Plymouth on the same day such a connection seems 
by no means improbable." 

Philosophical Transactions, quoted in Man's Eeading. 



236 HISTORY OF READING. 

ture in 17B7, and erected the present elegant ston6 
one, of a simple arch, with handsome balustrades, 
over the same part of the river, between Duke Street 
and London street, at a considerable expence. A new 
iron bridge has also been recently erected over the 
river, on the new line of the sfreat western road,* and 
the stream is now rendered navigable for all vessels 
not exceeding 128 tons burden. Till a very late 
period, Reading was very deficient in the possession 
of large and convenient wharfs, and without which, 
the advantages arising from water carriage are con- 
siderably decreased in value. The few places here for 
landing goods, except the wharfs held by tenants of 
the Crown lands, were never of any great magnitude, 
till within these few years, when a very commodious 
wharf and dock were constructed. Tliis desirable 
improvement was completed in 1828, and has, we 
believe, been attended with all the favourable results 
that were anticipated at the period of the first pro- 
jection of the scheme. 

From the reign of Edward VII. to that of Charles I. 
the freemen of the town possessed the privilege of 
landing all their goods, wharfage free, at a particular 
spot near the High Bridge, called the Common Landing 
Place. This wharf was under the jurisdiction of the 
corporation, at whose expence it was kept in repair, 
and who received in return the wharf duties on ail 
articles landed there, which were not the property of 
burgesses of the town. How this right became lost 
to the inhabitants is not known, but it is supposed to 
have fallen into disuse during the confusions caused 
by the civil wars. Mr. Man thinks that in point of 
equity it might still be supposed to exist, as the 
inhabitants do not appear ever to have formally sur- 
rendered the privilege, but merely to have discon- 
tinued it during turbulent times, and afterwards to 

* The following inscription is on a square tablet of stone, 
inserted in the brick work, on one side of the bridge : — 

** This bridge was erected at the expence of the Crown ; the 
site thereof being determined by the Commissioners for the 
Thames navigation." The year in which the bridge was com- 
pleted, 1832, is inscribed on the iron work, beneaUi. 



HISTORY OF READING. 237 

have forgotten it altogether. The following agreement 
made between the citizens of London and the burg- 
esses of Reading, shews that they were possesed of 
another privilege in ancient times, not less useful in 
its way than the one we have just mentioned, but 
considerably more singular — that of being exempt 
from the payment of tolls in the metropolis. 

*J In the court in the interior chamber of the 
Guildhall of the city of London, held on the fifth da)'" 
of July, in the seventh year of the reign of Queen 
Elizabeth, before those great and respectable men, the 
lord mayor and aldermen of the said city of London, 
among other things it was agreed : — 

"That all the burghesses of the town of Reading, 
in the county of Berks, shall, immediately after such 
time as this court shall be truly certified of their 
names in writing, under the common seal of their said 
town, be discharged of toll within this city, according 
to the ancient allowance of their liberties to them 
made by this court in their behalf." 

"BlaekwelL" 

We have already spoken of the Forbury being 
considered common by the inhabitants, a right which 
has been always tenaciously asserted by the corpora- 
tion and inhabitants in general, who do not allow 
that their prescriptive right of holding fairs in it, 
and using it as a place of amusement and exercise, is 
at all affected because this spot, with other of the 
abbey lands, is let to private individuals, who consider 
it as freehold. The burgesses held formerly another 
right of common at Portman's Brook, or Potman's 
Brook, as it is now erroneously called ; the privilege 
itself has been lost beyond the memory of man, and 
though the brook is still in existence, it is not known 
on which side of the road the commonable land was 
situated. A still popular tradition points out the Vas- 
lerns as having formerly belonged to the town's people, 
and the trLidition is supposdto be strengthened by the 
probable derivation of the word from the old law 
term, Fastum, signifying a waste or common. But it 
has been conjectured that the place here designated 
was on the opposite side of the road, and what is now 



238 HISTORY OP READING. 

called Hofif Moors; this land is the property of the 
Corporation, who may have enclosed it, as lords of the 
soil, in the civil wars, or soon after, a proceeding^ 
rendered the more easy from part of the fortifications 
of the town having^ been constructed on it, and its 
importance consequently lessened in the opinion of 
the inhabitants. 

TRADE AND MARKETS. 

The trade of Reading with respect to manufactories 
is no longer considerable. It in some measure owes 
its present consequence to the woollen trade, estab- 
lished here in the reign of Edward I. There is a 
legend of somewhat doubtful authority, that Thomas 
Cole, commonly called the rich clothier of Reading, 
amassed an immense fortune in the exercise of the 
above branch of business. He is reported to have 
maintained 140 married servants, besides 300 poor 
people whom he set to work ; and that " his wains 
with cloth filled the highway from Reading to London, 
to the stopping of King Henry I. in his progress, 
which king gratified Cole with a standard yard, the 
lengtli of his royal arm ; but the truth is, it was the 
arm of Edward I. which was the adequation of a yard. 
The whole story is uncertain, yet Cole may be 
accounted eminent in this kind."* The woollen manu- 
factory was greatly encouraged by Queen Elizabeth, 
during whose reign it was carried on to an extent 
never equalled at any preceding period. It continued 
to increase till the reign of Charles I., but the civil 
wars of that unhappy age gave a check to its prosper- 
ity which was never recovered. It continued gradually 
to decline till the commencement of the eighteenth 
century, about which time it was entirely lost. On its 
extinction, great encouragement was given to the 
manufacturing of sail cloth, an enterprise which has 
proved very successful. The material produced here 
was remarkable for its strength and whiteness, owing to 
a peculiar process to which the yarn was exposed in 
boiling, previous to its being woven, and was princi- 
pally purchased by Government for the use of the 

* England's Worthies in Church and State. 



HISTORY OF BEADING. 239 

navy, and by the East India Company. The number 
of looms employed here, in this branch alone, 
amounted to nearly 200, and some of them were 
capable of weaving cloths six or seven yards wide. 

The articles of exportation from this town consist 
of flour, timber, hoops, bark, wool, corn, malt,* 
seeds of every description, and linen. The imports 
include iron, deals, spirits, beer, cheese, grocery, 
staves, Portland stone, Bath free stone, bricks, hemp, 
flax, corn, hides, leather, and coals. It will be per- 
ceived from the above list that the articles of expor- 
tation consist chiefly of the rude produce of the sur- 
rouiidinfi^ country, the soil of which, particularly in 
the neii^hbourhood of the town, is admirably adapted 
for the finest sort of wheat, about twenty thousand 
Vs of flour are annually sent to the metropolis, but 
quantity varies according* to the fertility of the 
>;. ' -on ; in like manner the uncertaintv of the markets 
.itiVcts the seed trade in general ; and it depends en- 
tirely upon the fertility or deficiency of the crops, 
whether corn becomes an article of export or import; 
la favorable seasons great quantities are exported to 
th^^ metropolis and other places, but at periods of 

•drcity it is imported in quantities of equally consi- 
derable magnitude; the flour mills are chiefly situated 
in the two streams which branch off from the Kennet, 
near the town. The trade in malt has much decreased 
of late years; and the importation of coals from the 
London market has been very much reduced, owing 
to the introduction of pit-coal, by the Oxford canal, 
in boats of 25 tons burthen, previous to which nearly 
six thousands chaldrons were annually obtained from 
the metroplis ; the whole of the export and import 
trade, by water carriage, amounts to about fifty thous- 
and tons every year; in addition to which may be 
reckoned about one hundred tons by land carriage, ia 
whicli the various road- waggons and coaches are en- 
gaged. 

♦ " Some of the barges, in whicli their malt is sent to Lon- 
don, will carry one thousand or twelve hundred quarters." 

SmoUett^s All Nations. 



240 HlSfOHY OP READING. 

The two market days are Wednesdays and Satur- 
days, the former cliiefly for the sale of fruit, and the 
latter principally for corn, (upwards of fifty thousand 
quarters of which are annually sold) and also for 
butchers' meat, fruit, butter, e^gs, poultry, &c. The 
corn market consists of a spacious open piece of 
ground, of an irregular form, one side of which is 
occupied by the church of St. Lawrance, and the others 
by shops in which various trades are exercised. The 
necessary repairs of the market are defrayed by the 
corporation, for which they exact a toll of one pint 
out of each sack, for all the corn sold in the market. 
This toll is farmed on a lease for years; and its valu*^ 
of course, varies according to the price of the con 
modity. In the last year of the eighteenth centurv, 
which was remarkable for the almost total failure i 1 
the crops throughout the kingdom, wheat was sold iu 
this market, though the neighbourhood of Readin f 
had suflfered less from the wetness of the season thaa 
other districts, at the enormous price of 180s. pti 
quarter, a price which continued gradually increasiiit> 
till the middle of the month of March of the ensuiu . 
year, when it was sold at an average of 195s. pei 
quarter; but prospects of an abundant crop appearing 
after that period, and expectation being entertained 
of a general peace, the price began to decline, and 
had nearly fallen to its usual level before the ensuing 
year 1802.* 

About Michaelmas, when the corn market is at the 
highest, the number of farmers' waggons, bringing 
the produce of the country to market is upwards of 
two hundred per day; some of these return empty, but 
others carryback stable-dung, ashes, chalk, coals, and 

* Edward 11. being at Reading, in the year 1314, his officers 
seized twenty three quarters of oats, belonging to Nicholes At- 
Oke, of Stratfield Mortimer, for the king's chickens, and as 
much litter as was valued at thirteen shillings, w^hich he had 
provided for the reception of his landlord, the bishop of St. 
Davids. On a petition to parliament, satisfaction w^as ordered 
to be made to the owner, the officers having refused to pay 
either for the litter or the corn. The latter was valued at 
£3 13s. 4d. — Lt/son's Berkshire, 



HISTORY OF READING. 241 

vark)us retail articles from the shops. For the more 
strict enforcement of the tolls it has been enacted, 
that any persons who are dealers in corn, in the mar- 
ket, and neglect to make a declaration accord in i>"ly, 
to the corn inspector, subject themselves to a penalty 
of ^20 for every calendar month they omit to do so; 
dealers are also liable to another penalty of the same 
amount, for each return they neglect to make of corn 
purchased by them, during- the week. 

According to the weekly returns of the average 
quantity and price of the several sorts of grain sold in 
this market, in the year 1800^ the proportions are as 
follows : — 



m 



\^Tieat. 

Barley. 

Oats. 

Beans. 

Peas. 



c 

ft 

r 


c5| 


60s. 


400 


34 


350 


26 


120 


37 


110 


47 


70 


204 


1050 



S 5^ 



20,800 
18,200 
6.240 
5,720 
3,640 



u 


2 

7i 




a 


o 


fl 


H 


C3 


80qrs. 1 


70 




24 




22 




15 




211 





►5 o 



£62,400 
30,940 

6,112 
10,582 

8,554 






£240 
119 
35 
40 
30 



Total. 204 1050 54,600 211 120,588 464 

The following shews the Corn Return for one week, 
dated Reading, January 22^ 1833 : — 

Species. 



WTieat. 
Barley. 
Oats. 
Rye. 

BeaDs. 
Pease. 



Imp.m 
Total 


leasure 
quant. 

Bus. 


Total Amount. 


ars. 


£ 


s. d. 


660 


2 


1921 


10 6 


836 





1191 


10 


182 


2 


166 


16 6 














14 


4 


28 


12 6 


7 


4 


14 






Price per qr. 


Imp 


measure 


£ 


s. 


d. 


2 


18 


2 


1 


8 


6 





18 


4 











1 


19 


5 


1 


18 






Prices of corn in Reading market during the above 
month -.—-Wheat, AAs. to 6(>6' ; Barley, 25*. to 34*; 
Oats, 16*. to 23*; Beans, 36*. to 42*. ^d; Peas, 38*; 
price of Flour 40*. to 45*. ,per sack. 

The provision market is held in a building between 
the market place and Fisher Row, from both of which 
places it has an entrance; the building forms along 

K 



242 irrsTonY of READrxc?. 

square, half of which is occupied by tvTO ranges of 
butcher's shops, with a clear space between them, for 
the convenience of purchasers; and the other half is 
allotted for the use of the market won^en, who come 
here with various articles of produce ; and the whole 
is covered with a Yight roof supported by pillars. The 
iishmon^ers' and hucksters' stalls are in a square, open 
area at the south end of the buikling, near which is a 
portico, enclosed with iron gates, and over it, sup- 
ported on stone columns is the residence of the clerk 
of the market, who is generally one of the sergeants 
at mace ; the tolls for the use of the stalls, and the 
rents of the butcher's shops are received by the cor- 
poration ; who also receive the toll of the weekly 
laarket for store pigs, situated between Friar-street 
and Broad-street, with a communication opening into 
each; the usual stallage toll is all the advantage that 
the corporation derives from this market, the ground 
hemg private property. 

FAIKS. 

There are four fairs held here during the year; viz: 
fliree on the following days: the 2nd of February, Ist 
of May, and 25th of July, chiefly for the sale of horses 
and cows ; the latter was originally established by a 
charter of Henry II, and ordered to commence and be 
kept during one whole day of the festival of Ss. 
James the Apostle, and the three days following. The 
last and principal fair of the year is held on the 21st 
and 22nd of September, when from three to five hun- 
dreed tons of cheese are brought from Gloucestershire, 
Wiltshire, and other dairy counties; and large quanti- 
ties of birch brooms are frequently taken by the carters 
on their return, and disposed of in the different towss 
they pass through on their way home; this fair is also 
a statute one for the hiring of male and female ser- 
vants. Previous to the year 1697, the cheese fair was 
lield iii Fisher's Row, then called Cheese Row, and a 
person was appointed by the corporation for the pur- 
pose of weighing, in the adjoining wool hall, all the 
cheese that was sold ; it was subsequent to the above 
year, ordered to be kept in the Forb^ury, on account 



HISTORY OF READING. 243 

of the old spot beino- found two confined to receive all 
the cheese that was brouo^ht, and g-enerally incon- 
venient both to the buyers and sellers. The fol- 
lowing command was issued at the time: *' ordered 
tliat the next St Matthew's fair be kept at the West 
end of the Forbury, from the path leading" towards 
the king's meadow, for the sellino- of cheese and hops; 
St. Lawrence's church walk for the servants, and the 
town hall for the series " Neither hops nor serges 
have been sold at this fair for many years; it is sup- 
posed that the latter declined with the woollen manu- 
factures of the town; it is, however, still attended b^, 
a few clothiers from the west of England. In additioif* 
to these, there is also a cattle market held every Mon- 
day morning, where a large show of fine cattle may 
be seen, which are on their way to Smithfield, from 
the western parts of the country ; to prevent forestall- 
ing, and for the convenience of the inhabitants, the 
market hours are regulated by the mayor for the time 
being; they commence at eight in the summer season, 
and an hour later during winter. 

PRIVILEGES MUNICIPAL AND PAROCHIAL. 

Reading claims the privilege of a borough by pre- 
scription, from the 23rd of Edward I. The right of 
voting was adjudged, in 1 708, to be possessed by free- 
men who were not paupers, and who had not for two 
years previous to an election received assistance from 
any of the town charities, and by the inhabitants pay- 
ing scot and lot. At the accession of George 1, when 
the partizans of the Stuart dynasty employed their 
most strenuous efforts to return to parliament as many 
members as they could who were friends to the cause 
of the abdicated family, the elections were carried on 
with great party warmth all over the kingdom, and 
the contest here was one of the severest ever known. 
The whig interest was supported by the majority of 
the middling class of the inhabitants of Reading, while 
the mob, upheld with more than its usually enlightened 
zeal, the cause and fortunes of the tory party, which 
consisted principally of pot-wabblers, an overwhelming 
multitude resting their right to vote for members 
to serve in parliament for this borough, upon proving 

r2 



244 HISTORY OF RKADING. 

that they had been accustomed to boil a pot within its 
limits ; the town, on this occasion, is described as 
having- all the appearance of a large camp of gypsies ; 
** fires being lighted in every street and alley, for even 
lodgers were entitled to this privilege." This zealous 
majority returned to the first Hanoverian parliament 
Robert Clarges and Felix Calvert, Esquires, who were 
elected in opposition to Mr. W. Cadogan, a declared 
friend to the house of Brunswick. This return, how- 
ever, was petitioned against by the respectable house- 
holders whose claim to exercise the right of voting 
rested upon a somewhat more worthy foundation than 
that of their opponents, the pot^wabblers^ which was 
Bever acknowledged afterwards, for the committee, 
appointed to take the petition into consideration, hav- 
ing heard all the evidence produced, declared the 
election null and void, and that the right of voting was 
solely in the inhabitants paying scot and lot, by whom 
it has ever since been exercised^ the late bill has, 
however, extended the suffrages of the borough, 
whose representatives, at present, in the first reformed 
parliament are Charles Fyshe Palmer and Charles 
Russell, Esquires.* 

The courts held at Reading are those of the Lent 
Assizes, for the county, and the county quarter sfs- 
sions, twice a year. Thetown sessions, a^so, at which 
the mayor and recorder preside, are held four time* 
a year, for the judging all offences committed within 
the limits of the borough, (which, by its charter, is of 
itself a county) except capital ones ; and another court 
is held every Wednesday,t by the Mayor, called the 
court of Record, for hearing and settling trivial cases, 
requiring summary justice, andwhich are not of suf- 
ficent importance to be sent to the quarter sessions ; 
the jurymen, at the latter, are selected from among 
the inhabitants, but they are exempt from serving on 
any assize jury, or even on that of the county quarter 

* The number of voters was, in 1816, 1060 ; in 1831, about 
1200. 

'f- Except in the weeks of Christmas, Easter; and Pentecost j 
see the charter of Charles I; page 43 ^ 



HISTORY OF READING. 245 

sessions when they are held in the town, neither de 
they pay o^aol money or county rates. The inhabitants, 
however, have, for the last century, been called upon 
to contribute towards the expence^ incurred by main- 
taining and prosecuting the boroui^h prisoners, and 
holding" inquests,* but the greater share came from 
the funds of the corporation, until the end of the year 
1830, at the Easter sessions of the following' year, 
the corporate body levied an additional rate for de- 
fraying the expences above mentioned; this proceed- 
ing met with some opposition, but it was the opinion. 
of counsel that borough parishes cannot resist the de- 
mand of corporate bodies thus exeicised, and the ex- 
pences of the quarter sessions will in future be paid 
by the parish officers out of the poor rates. The de- 
mand of an additional rate by the corporation was no 
voluntary act of that respectable body, but was made 
at the express interference of government, and m 
obedience to an act of parliament which distinctly 
directs that these expences should be collected by the 
overseers, and paid out of the poor rates. 

The dissolution of the religious houses was a heary 
misfortune to the poor generally, throughout England, 
and those of Reading did not escape the pressure of it 
more than others of their class who depended chiefly 
on the relief afforded them from the funds bequeathed 
by pious persons, and distributed by the monks. They 
were then reduced to wait for their support from 
casual charity; this source was soon found to be totally 
inadequate to their necessities; in the year 1577, the 
voluntary contributions of the inhabitants of St. M ary's 
parish amounted to no more than thirty-nine shillings, 
a sum which could be of little utility in supplying the 
wants for a whole year, of the aged and infirm poor 
of an extensive district. To remedy this general evil, 
an act was passed in the 34th of Queen Elizabeth, for 
levying a rate on the parishioners, and appointing over- 
seers to divide the pro.iuce in administering to the 

♦ " The mayor is coroner for the town by virtue of his oflSce, 
but appoints a deputy, usually the town clerk, who is confirmed 
in his office by the king's sign manual." 

Coate's History of Reading, p, 461^ 



246 HISTORY OF reading, 

necessities of the poor in each parish; this enactment 
universally demanded, and popular at that period, is 
considered the origin of the present poor laws, a 
system so humane in principle, and so ineffective, in 
manao'ement. 

When the rate was first levied the parishes were 
called upon for what was called week's pay; each 
pariah, according to its extent and means, beiniif 
obliged to furnish a corresponding number of weeks' 
pay to be applied to the maintenance of the poor during 
the current year. St. Mary's parish it is thought con- 
tributed, at first, twenty weeks' pay, at twelve shillings 
per week, which would amount to twelve pounds an- 
nually for the use of the poor of that parish ; the in- 
liabitants, however, were differently assessed, being 
divided into four classes, of which, each person in the 
first class, paid two-pence ; in the second, three half- 
pence ; in the third, a penny ; and in the fourth, one 
half-penny. In 1607 the amount of rate, collected in 
St. Mary's, had increased to ^M7 12^. bd , the inhabi- 
tants having been called upon to furnish pay for an addi- 
tional number of weeks; this call continued to increase 
so rapidly, that in 1674, when the parish was assessed 
for 100 weeks' pay, the alarmed church- wardens and 
overseers made an order signifying, that if any person 
should receive a stranger into his house, and not give 
security, within forty days, that he should not become 
chargeajjle to the parish, such person should have his 
taxes doubled; and they very properly carried their 
law into effect, two years afterwards, in the person of 
a certain Richard Landers, who had foolishly incurred 
the penalty, and found himself obliged to pay it. The 
obnoxious rate continued to enerease alarmingly up 
to the year 1757, when the great number of weeks 
pay demanded for that year is supposed to have been 
the reason of the present mode of assessing the inha- 
bitants having been adopted, by a pound rate on lands, 
houses, and stock in trade, in the proportion of two 
thirds on houses, and the full amount of the rate on 
lands. Mr. Man quotes from the parish registers a 
table of assessments taken every tenth year, showing 
the, at first, gradual. '^"^ subsequently, rapid en- 



HISTORY OF READING 



1247 



crease in the numbers of the original week rate; and 
the amount levied in the three parishes by the preseat 
mode of assessment, in 1812; both of which we sub- 
join. 





Years, Weeks pay. Years, Weeks pay* 




1647 24 1707 286 




1657 40 1717 338 




1667 63 1727 312 




1677 156 1737 442 




1687 208 1747 364 




1697 338 1757 547 




Amount Levied in 1812. 




On Houses | Oq Land 


On Stock 


Afflt of Rate, 




^. d. s. d. 


5. d. 


£ s, d. 


St. 


Mary's 7 lo 6 


2 6 


3789 11 6 


St. 


Lawrence's 6 9 


3 


2579 11 4 


St. 


Giles's 4 2 6 3 




2616 3f 



Total of one year, £8985 3 1| 

The rates are, at present, highest in the parish of 
St. Lawrence, wh^re they are seven shillings and nine- 
pence in the pound*. In St. Mary's, they are only 
four shillings and sixpence «n two thirds of the 
rental, or three shiilings in the pound on the rack 
rents, and they are still lower in the parish of St, 
Giles. It is hoped when the abbey property and the 
new road become occupied, and when the measures 
taken by the overseers to afford employment to the 
paupers shall have been fairly tried, that the rates 
will be as low in the parish of St. Lawrence as ia 
either of the other two. These periods, we believe, 

* In the year 1798, the rates in this parish, raised for the 
relief of the poor, were only two shillings in the pound on the 
value of houses, and three shillings in the pound on land, or 
stock in trade : the land tax of the same parish for the same 
year, at four shillings in the pound, amounted to £787 195. 6<?, 
In St. Giles's parish, during the same period, the poor rates 
were four shillings in the pound, on land ; and tw^o shillings 
and eight pence in the pound, on houses ; two years after the 
rate on land was encreased to seven shillings and sixpence in 
the pound, and that on houses to five shillings. It will thus 
appear, that since the earliest of the above periods the rates in 
the parish of St. Lawrence have encreased, while those of St. 
Giles's parish have diminished^ 



218 HISTORY OF READING* 

are not far distant. The site of the abbey is to be 
converted into a square, and the houses now occupy- 
ing" that site are fast undergoing* the work of destruc- 
tion. Among the relics of the old building thus 
destroyed are the walls, and the Saxon arches at the 
end of the refectory, but it is said the latter have 
been purchased by a gentleman who intends to 
re-erect them. On taking down a cieling in one of 
the bouses lately occupied, an ancient grained oak 
roof was discovered ; it extended nearly the whole 
length of the house, is slightly arched, and from its 
style there is no doubt of its having been removed 
from the abbey, where it may possibly have formed 
the roof of the refectory. Two ancient stone fire 
places have been also brought to light, with a great 
variety of carved stone mouldings, and other interest- 
ing relics of the olden time. The other improve- 
ments, by which a considerable reduction in the rates 
of the parish of St. Lawrence is expected, are pro- 
ceeding towards completion; the new line of road, 
indeed, may be said to be finished ; and the overseers 
of the above parish are themselves actively employed 
in relieving the rate payers by every means in their 
power; ihey have procured work for many of the 
weavers who receive parish relief, and have thereby 
already paid for the expence of fitting up the looms; 
and they have distributed among the payers of rate a 
printed list of payments made to the poor during the 
space of three months, that the parishioners may 
have an opportunity of ascertaining whether the 
persons relieved by them are proper objects for the 
parish funds. This proceeding was instituted on 
account of various fictitious tales of distress having 
been made to the parish authorities by persons 
earning considerable sums of money, and who have 
succeeded in defrauding the really necessitous poor, 
by obtaining money under false pretences from a 
fund intended solely for the relief of the latter, and 
which proceeds of their fraud are generally expended 
in low games of chance, and the symposia of the beer 
shops. 



HISTORY OF READING. 249 

ALMSHOUSES. 

For the further relief of the ai^ed and infirm poor, 
almshouses have been erected at different periods 
with sums bequeathed by various benevolent indivi- 
viduals, which houses are usually distinguished by 
the names of their respective founders. The most 
ancient are those of John Leech (John Alarder, or 
John of the Larder) which were founded in 14/7, 
and are now situated in St. Mary's Butts. In the 
year 1450 the abbot and convent of Reading granted 
to the above person a tenement on Bernard's Hill, in 
the street called Old-street or Wood-street, at the 
yearly rent of one shilling. This tenement John of 
the Larder pulled down, and on its site he erected 
five almshouses, which numl)er he directed by his will 
should be increased to eight, and the expence of 
building be defrayed by certain sums of money due 
to him at his decease. His executors were also 
instructed to purchase certain lands and houses 
for an annual rent-charge, to support the future 
inmates of the tenements thus erected ; and the 
testator, by a deed dated the 16th of Henry VIL 
vested the whole of the lands, rents, and tenements 
so devised in the mayor and corporation, by whom 
the almshouses for the men were re-built in the year 
1775, and those for the women in 1790, which were 
increased to four, and are at present inhabited by 
nine poor persons, men and women : three from St. 
Mary's Pari5>h, three from St. Giles, and three from 
the parish of St. Lawrence. Each of these persons 
receive Is. 8d. a week, or more if the charity will 
allow of an increase ; and once a year the men have 
each a coat, and the women a gown. 

Harrison^s alms-houses, situated in Southampton 
street, in the parish of St. Giles, were erected in 
accordance with the will of Mr. Bernard Harrison, 
brewer, dated September 2nd, 1617- This gentleman's 
legacy consisted of houses, land, and a rent-charge 
(vested in the corporation, for the benefit of the 
poor) with the profits arising from which eight 
houses were erected for the reception of persons 
of either sex, belonging to the above parish, but 



250 mSTORY OF READING. 

110 man was admitted whose wife was under fifty 
years of a^e. These houses were rebuilt at the 
be,^innin^ of the present century, and are now wholly 
appropriated to females, who receive every three 
months the sum of six shillings and three pence. 

In the year 1624 Mr. Griffin Jenkins, hair merchant, 
of Reading, bequcdthed five tenements, situated in 
Johnson's Yard in Minster-street, in trust to the 
corporation and churchwardens of St. Lawrence and 
St. Mary, to place in them five poor a^ed men, 
belonging to those parishes, to reside therein rent 
free. 

IMr. William Kendrick, clothier, of this town, by 
wi 1 dated August 30, 1634, g-dve five tenements on 
the west side of Sievier's-street for alms-houses, for 
two men of St. Laurence's parish, two of St Giles's, 
and one woman of St. Mary's, to be elected by the 
corporation. His foundation was endowed with a 
rent-charge of twenty pounds a year on lands at 
Hartley, fifty pounds to purchase land, to keep the 
alms-houses in repair, and the rent of a house and 
barn adjoinini? the latter. The men were to be 
rJlowed each one shilling and sixpence weekly, and a 
coat once in three years ; and the women one shilling 
weekly, with four shillinq^s per quarter in addition, 
for washinaf the men's linen, and a gown every third 
year. With the remainder of the money the corpo- 
ration were to pav forty shilling's annually to the 
church wardens of St. Mary's, for the lights used at 
morning prayers (which early prayers have been long 
disused, but we have not heard how the sum bequeathed 
for the lights has been since employed) ; ten shillings 
to the vicar for his vault in the chancel, and the same 
sum for the use of the corporation, to be spent when 
they met to settle the accounts of the charity. If any 
surplus remained after this, it was to be distributed 
generally among the poor of the place. 

Sir Thomas Vachell, by a deed of gift dated January 
the 6th, 1634, gave in trust to the corporation a 
tenement situated on the south side of Castle-streec, 
near Pinkney-lane, and endowed it with forty pounds 
per annum, on lands in the parish of Shinfield, for 



HISTORY OF READING. 251 

the habitation of six a^ed, infirm, and unmarried 
men, four of whom were to be chosen out of St. 
AJary's parish, one from St. [iawrence's, and one from 
that of St. Giles ; each inmate to have two shillinafs 
per week paid them every Saturday, and if the funds 
of the charity will admit of it, a gown each, and two 
loads of wood annually. The founder directed that 
after his decease the six alms-men should be placed 
and displaced by the mayor and bugessesfor the time 
bein^i', and by any ** person or persons of the name, 
blood, and kindred of the said Sir Thomas Vachell, 
who for the time being shall be owner or owners of 
the manor or farm of Coley ; or in default thereof, 
such other person or persons who, for the time being, 
shall be owner or owners of the manor or farm of 
Coley." 

The next foundation of alms-houses occurred in 
1647, when Mr. Richard Jayes bequeathed four 
houses in Hosier's-lane, for four poor widows, not 
under fifty years of age, who were to be elected by 
the churchwardens and overseers of St. Mary's 
parish, and allowed one shilling and three pence each 
per week. This foundation was endowed with the 
rent of two meadows at Sulhamstead, part of one of 
which was cut off when the canal between Reading 
and Newbury was made. This measure caused an 
interruption in the receipt of the rent, as the church 
wardens of Woolhampton, who were appointed joint 
trustees with those of Reading, refused to agree with 
the terms proposed by the commissioners, and we 
are not acquainted in what way the dispute termi- 
nated. 

In 1696, Mr. John Hall, apothecary, left a rent 
charge on an estate at Caversham, of five shillings 
per week, for five poor people, who were to receive 
in addition ten shillings per week for fuel, during 
the life time of the testator's wife, after whose 
decease an increased rent charge was to fall in trust 
to the corporation, with five tenements in Chain 
Lane, for the benefit of five necessitous and unmar- 
ried people : one from the parish of St. Lawrence, 
and two each from the parishes of St. Mary and St. 



252 HISTORY OF READING. 

Giles. The inmates to be allowed one shilling" and 
sixpence per week each, twelve shilling" per annum 
for fuel, and ten more for clothing". These alms-houses 
are situated in Chain Lane, and have on them the 
following inscription : — 

Ex dono Johannis Hall Pharmacopei. 

It will appear from the above that there are forty- 
one natives of Reading who are enjoying the benevo- 
lence, not only of the founders of the alms-houses 
which they inhabit, but also of other charitable in- 
dividuals who have endowed these houses with ad- 
ditional sums of money in order to promote the com- 
fort of their aged and infirm inmates, and which sums 
will be found in the list of charitable donations. We 
have already said that the alms-houses of John a Lar- 
der are the most ancient foundation of that kind, now 
existing in the town, but the return of colleges and 
chantries made in the 3ist year of Henry Vlil, men- 
tions a hospital or alms-house, founded by William 
Barnes, which was probably ancient at that period, 
and its foundation, in consequence, of an earlier 
date, then that of the houses erected by John Leach; 
it is thus noticed in the certificate, or return, we have 
alluded to : *' a hospital, or alms-house, founded by 
William Barnes, to the intent to have certain poor 
people there lodged; and for that purpose he did 
endow the same house with certain lands and rents 
as followeth, howbeit they have not shewed any 
foundation or grant. The said hospital is situate 
within the parish of St. Mary's, in Reading. 

** The value of the said hospital, by year, £7 6s 4d. 
whereof for rents resolute 203 ; and so remainetli 
^6 6s. 4d., which is yearly expended for the main- 
tenance of the lodgings reserved and kept for the 
poor people, and for repairing of the said house 
there, ornaments, &c., none; only the beds whereon 
the poor people be lodged, not worth the making of 
an inventory."* 

* In the return of the Commissioners of Edward VI., this 
charitable foundation is not noticed ; aud no account of it is 
now to be found. 



nrSTORY OF READING. 253 

MILITARY AND POLICE. 

The only local force in Reading, besides the usual 
constabulary body, is the staff of the county militia; 
before the establishment of a standins^ army, the town 
was defended by trained bands, who were summoned 
to action by the maj^istrates, on any appearance of 
riot. Once a year they attended the court-leet, a fine 
being levied on those who absented themselves from 
muster without a written exemption, for which a 
small sum was demanded ; their weapon was the 
lon^-bow, to which they were regularly trained, when 
muster was over. The custom of paying for exemp- 
tions is still kept up by the constables, who summon 
the junior inhabitants of the town to the court-leet, 
and release them from personal attendance on paying" 
a penny; this fee is claimed by the recorder, but Mr. 
iVlan says the constables generally expend it in a 
supper. 

In time of war, if men were required for foreign 
service, each district sent a number of efficient trained 
archers according to its population. In the French 
war, under Edward 3rd, Reading sent twenty men 
to encrease that monarch's force; in the same war, 
London supplied one thousand men, a greater num- 
ber than any other city or town supplied, and Ro- 
chester and Maidstone ten each, which is the lowest 
number in the list of assessed towns, quoted from 
Montifiori's Commercial Dictionary, as furnishing 
armed men at the above period. In the reign of 
Henry VI., the borough was assessed at thirty men, 
whom the inhabitants were summoned to provide at 
their own expence ; to raise this force, ninety of the 
principal residents were divided into classes, each of 
which agreed to provide a man and equip him at the 
common expence of the class to which he belonged ; 
it is thought that the small number among whom the 
expence of raising the required body of men was 
divided, is aproof of the smallness of the population 
at that period, when compared with its present state. 
The town was again summoned, and more than once, 
during the reign of Henry VIII., when the inhabitants 
provided, by the same method we have just described, 
twenty-four horse soldiers destined for Scotland, 



254 ItlSTOKY OV READINf?. 

The expence, on this occasion, was divided amon* 
an hundred and fifty-two persons; ninety-two of them 
contributing for the harness, and sixty of a higher 
class of householders furnishing the men and horses; 
among these, the mayor paid for "half a horse and 
his apparel," and the three vicars raising a horse and 
a half between them. In the same reign, when the 
king was going with an army into France, twenty 
foot soldiers, and twelve mounted men were sent by 
this town, according to order, to join his majesty's 
other forces ; in obedience to another order from the 
government, some time after the above, ** ten soldiers 
vvell garnished and weaponed," were dispatched from 
here to the assistance of the Princess Mary, who was 
then asserting her claim to the crown; and three 
years after her establishment on the throne, the town 
sent forty well appointed men to attend her sacred 
and amiable person ; the only thing remarkable in 
this levy is, that it was the first instance of the mili- 
tary of the town being clothed in an uniform, and the 
last of a levy at all under the old system, which was 
superseded by the introduction of standing armies 
supplied with men, either by enlistment or the ballot. 
During the French revolution this borough raised two 
volunteer companies, and when the country was, at a 
subsequent period, threatened with invasion from 
France, the inhabitants to the number of two hun- 
dred, formed a volunteer force, which was divided 
into three companies, of grenadiers, centre, and 
light-infantry; these corps, with all the similar corps 
of the county, were reviewed by George III., on Bul- 
marsh Heath, the 26th of July 1/99 ; and being dis- 
solved, after the peace of Amiens, in 1801, the re- 
gimental colours were suspended in St. Lawrence's 
church, as a memorial of the loyalty and patriotism 
of those inhabitants who had been enrolled under 
them. On the renewed threat of invasion, recourse 
was again had to the volunteer system, and the 
Reading corps were revived and increased; those 
receiving pay were divided into four companies, 
amounting together to nearly two hundred ; and the 
other body, called the Loyal Reading V'olunteers, into 



HISTORY OF READIXG. 255 

eight companies, consisting in the whole of nearly 
five hundred men.* This force, in connexion with 
the general county one, which also had the honour of 
beina^ reviewed, and of hearinsf its military perfection 
complimented by the king", was dissolved as soon as 
the danger of the threatened invasion was removed, 
when most of the men and many of the officers were 
embodied in the regiment of local militia about to 
be raised in 1808. 

It would appear from an earlier passage in Mr. 
Man's history, w^hose authority we have followed 
above, that the dissolution of the volunteer force wa3 
attended with some circumstances of disgrace, which 
however should attach to another party than the 
gallant body in question. We subjoin it in the writer^s 
own words: **0n the 25th of June this year (1809) 
a mutiny took place among the local militia, while 
exercising in the Forbury, on being refused their 
marching guinea, previous to their dismissal on the 
next day, on which occasion several companies laid 
down their arms ; to which conduct, as it was after- 
wards asserted, they had been incited by some of the 
volunteers urging them on, and promising to stand 
by them. How far this assertion is founded in fact 
we know not, but certain it is the officers of the 
volunteers were by no means implicated in the 
charge ; neither Could it be expected that they should 
be answerable for the conduct of their men, while oflf 
from duty. Notwithstanding this however on complaint 
being made at the war-office, by the commander of 
the local militia, on the supposed misconduct of the 
Reading Volunteers, they were in the July following 
dismissed from his Majesty's service without the 
smallest remuneration, and without even a compli- 
ment being paid them for their meritorious conduct 
in coming forward at the hour of danger to serve 
their country, almost wholly at their own expence." 

* Their uniforms were blue, with scarlet facings and 
regulation caps ; and the pay two shillings a week. The 
regiment had also an excellent band of music, and a pair of 
elegant colours : one the Union flag, and the other the town 
arms, encircled by a wreath of laurels, and bearing the motto 
GOD SAVE THE KING. 



256 HISTORY OF readixo. 

PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTION. 

Among* the useful additions to the other advantasfes 
poshcssed by the town, may l>e reckoned the esta- 
blishment here in the year 1831 of a Philosophical 
Institution for the purpose of promoting the cause of 
science. The members consist of shareholders, and 
subscribers, and we are happy to add that considering 
the recent formation of the society, it is enjoying a 
degree of prosperity that confers a high credit on those 
lovers of scientific pursuits to whose hands the man- 
agement of the Institution is entrusted. The number 
of shareholders at present is about sixty, and of 
subscribers nearly the same. The price of a share 
amounts to five pounds; and an additional annual 
subscription of half-a-guinea entitles the proprietor 
of a share to the enjoyment of all the privileges of 
the Institution. Subscribers of one guinea a year who 
are not shareholders are entitled to nearly equal 
privileges with the latter, with some slight excep- 
tions; and for the convenience of sojourners in the 
town, or persons residing in its vicinity, the trea- 
surer is empowered to receive subscriptions for half a 
year at twelve shillings and sixpence ; for a quarter, 
seven shillings and sixpence; and even for a month, 
at the low charge of three shillings and sixpence. 
Nine gentlemen form the committee, in addition to 
whom there is a president, two vice-presidents, three 
trustees, a treasurer, an honorary secretary, and a 
curator, who have together published sixty-eight 
rules for the management of the society and its 
affairs, the duties of its officers, the convening of 
General Meetings, and the regulations of the 
Museum, the apparatus, and the lectures. The 
Museum will be found well worthy of inspection, the 
contributions to it have been already numerous, and 
most of the specimens are singular and interesting : 
gay productions from Otaheite, and mummy cloths 
from Thebes, India mocassins, and North American 
snow shoes, the wide-flying Assagai from Cuffraria, 
and poisoned arrow^s from other regions of Southern 
Africa, anklets that have graced the heels of Tam- 
bookie girls, swords that have been wielded among 



HrSTORY OF READING. 257 

the wilcf tribes of Central Asia, and the deadly, flame 
shaped Creese from sunny Malaga. The museum also 
possesvses part of the India rubber-like skin of a 
rhinoceros, and near to it a portion of what Tacitus 
would call the 

Hserens corpori tegmen 

of that ^'gTeatesc happiness " philosopher, Jeremy 
Bentham. This remnant of the humanity of the 
would-be (and with the greatest sincerity we add well 
meaning) legislator, bears a close resemblance to a 
yellow and shrivelled piece of parchment, it is 
however not undeserving of attention. Among the 
remaining specimens will be found a seal used by the 
ancient Egyptians for stamping the bricks made at 
Thebes ; a small idol said to be worshipped by the 
Hindoos in the neighbourhood of Madras; varieties 
of marble from the Forum Pompeii, a tomb at 
Mycenum, and from a burying place and temple of 
Serapis, in and adjacent to Puzznoli. There are also 
some fine specimens of calcedony in different states ; 
crystal from the Diamond Valley of Arabia Petrea ; a 
sandy deposite from the region of Mount Sinai ; 
agate and corals from Egypt; and plaister from 
Sallust's house at Pompeii. Among the volcanic 
specimens, there is a very remarkable one from St 
Helena ; and a box made of the various kinds of 
lava from Vesuvius. Caversham has contributed some 
chalk formations; and fossil remains, bearing im- 
pressions of different ferns, have been brought from 
the coal fields of Somerset and Stafford Shires. The 
ravages of the Teredo N avails ^ or ship worm, may be 
seen in a piece of the ship. Lord Melville, taken from 
her eighteen months after she was off the stocks ; 
and among the birds will be found the lovely Thibet 
Reeve, some beautiful bitterns, crested cranes, and 
macaws ; and a fine Gossanda, shot within a few 
miles of the town. One of the most interesting 
specimens in the whole collection is an embalmed 
hand, supposed to be that of Queen Adeliza, wife of 
Henry I. : the following account, written by Dr. 
Baily, is attached to it : ** An embalmed hand, found 

s 



258 HISTORY OF READrNG. 

about fifty years ag'o in the ruins of the Resting 
Abbey church, at its eastern extremity, and holding 
a slender rod, surmounted probably with a crucifix, 
©r other emblematical device. The occasion that i>ave 
rise to this discovery was the dicfging for a foundation 
for thepresent ^'aol,partof which now stands on the site 
of the said Abbey church This relic wliich still retains 
the frag'rasre of the embalmiir2f o"um first came into the 
possession of Dr. Blenkinsop of Reading, who handed 
it over to Dr. Hooper, and by Dr. H. it vva.s presented 
to the Museum. That this was the hand of some royal 
personaore may be fairly inferred from the situation 
in which it was found, and the circumstance of its 
being embalmed. That it is the hand of a female is 
most evident. The only authentic records we have of 
the interment of any English queen in the Reading 
Abbey Church is that relating to Adeliza, second 
queen of Henry I ; upon these grounds ii is called 
Queen Adeliza^s Hand" The society have lately 
received a very valuable present intended for their 
Museum from Lady Sidmouth, consisting of an Egyp- 
tian idol and two Etruscan vases, the age of which is 
estimated at not less than two thousand years. 

At the period of the appearance of cholera in i\ih 
country, a Board of Health was established in Read- 
ing, in order to provide every available means to 
avert the threatened danger. The Board consisted of 
the magistrates, the clergy, tire dissenting ministers, 
the medical practitioners, and some of the most 
influential gentlemen of the three parishes, who wefe 
employed during the winter of 1832-3 in attending to 
the domestic comforts of the poor, and distributing 
among the most necessitous, flannel, blankets, food, 
and coals. The original Board however finding their 
powers insufficient to reach many evils, the existence 
of which among the poorer classes tended to generate 
and encourage the worst symptoms of the malady, 
dissolved themselves, and were re-appointed by the 
Privy Council, who conferred on them ample powers, 
authorized by the legislature for the prevention of 
the disease. Happily they were not called upon to 
fulfil any of the perilous duties to which they would 



HtSTORY OF READING. "259 

iiave been summoned if tlie fatal epidemic Lad 
attacked the town with any degree of virulence; but 
that the exertions they 6^?^ make were not unattended 
by corresponding success, is proved from the fact 
that the cholera did not spread here, and that there 
were fewer attacks during the time the Board was ia 
6xistence,from those other diseases which are mostly 
prevented by the means recommended and promoted 
by the members, for the cleanness and free ventilation 
of the more confined parts of the town. The pre- 
cautionary measures which were adopted necessarily 
entailed some expence, and the Reading Board made 
a claim, under the provisions of the general order 
from the council, for two hundred and forty pounds, 
stating at the sam.e time that this sum was only to 
form a fund to which recourse might be had in case 
of necessity, and which was to be appropriated under 
the sanction of magisterial authority. The claim 
however was resisted— a proceeding which might 
have proved of serious injury to the town and neigh- 
bourhood, had it pleased God to have visited them 
with the infliction less lightly ; but which proved of 
little importance, from the comparatively limited 
degree in which the services of the Board were 
required, beyond that of increasing the expences of 
the latter by nearly a quarter of the whole sum 
employed, and which amounted to forty-four pounds, 
eleven shillings : of this, the charge of nine pounds, 
sixteen shillings, was incurred for printing, station 
iicry, and advertising ; twenty-one pounds w^ere 
awarded for the services of the secretary; three 
guineas for the expenses of the town clerk's journey 
to attend the Privy Council; and the remainder was 
expended in rent, fuel, drugs, &c. The sraallness of 
the total fully bears out the assertion of the members 
themselves, that they were duly mindful of the 
economy which was enjoined them as much by their 
duty as by their interests. 

The sources of public amusement in Reading are 
confined to occasional concerts, the county balls, and 
theatre. An amateur musical society was established 
for some ttme, and during its continuance the concerts 



2^6# jrrsTORT or READrvo. 

pfiven by the members were praised in lii<jh terms by 
the inhabitants of the town and neig^hbourhood who 
yesorted to them ; but the efforts of the society were 
altogether so littfe appreciated, that it was only with 
the strictest attention i& economy they were relieved 
from the pressure of a considerable debt. It is some- 
what singular that a society of this nature should 
have failed here at a moment when almost every 
eonsiderable town in England possesses one resem- 
bling it, all vying with each other m generous emu- 
lation to obtain an exalted reputation in the musical 
world Competent judges had awarded a very high 
standing to the amateur meeting at Reading, and it 
was a meed well merited by the united ability of the 
Hfiembers, and the acknowledged talent of their 
leader, Mr. Venua of Twyford. On the dissolution 
@f theh- society in 1833,^ a dissolution regretted by so 
many who might more zealously have supported the 
institution when it was in existence, the members 
presented their esteemed director with a small testi- 
monial of the sense they entertained of his services 
in belialf of the society, and which had been rendered 
gratuitously through pure love of the tuneful art. 
This acknowledgment was presented to Mr. \^enua at 
a full meeting by the mayor ; it consists of a splendid 
coffee pot and stand of beautiful design, bearing the 
following inscription : 

" Presented to F. M. A. Venua, esq. by the members and 
friends of the Reading Amateur Musical Society, as a token 
®f their high regard for his musical talent, and their gratitude 
i[)r his gratuitous and valuable services to the society." 

This was their labt public meeting, and however 
desirable, there are little hopes of the old and 
pleasant winter concerts being again renewed. The 
above meeting was nevertheless attended with as 
much good feeling and harmony as if the members 
composing it were likely to come together often. 
The style in which some of the pieces were executed 
only caused a deeper regret of the little chance that 
existed of the same performances being heard 
again; and these sons of song may have some conso- 
lation in remembering that though their efforts to 



niSTi^llY OF READING, '28.1 

lend an additional iiUercstino' feature to the tow a 
failed for want of patron a£re, they at least remained 
consi<«tent to the last, and died, like the swan, sini^in;^. 
The theatre, situated in Friar street, is small, but is 
as neatly fitted up as most provincial theatres. It is 
generally supplied for about six weeks in summer or 
autumn, with a company from Oxford. 

GEOLOGY, 

Tke greatest natural curiosity in the neighbourhood 
of Reading" is the stratum of sea sand in Kate's Grove 
lane,* about twenty yards below the level of Bob'^ 
Mount. This stratum of sand contains a great number 
of oyster shells and fishes' teeth, the latter being very 
«mall and sharply pointed. The shells when taken 
out of the ground are perfect in appearance, but if 
collected for preservation, they should be carefully 
exposed for some time to the heat of a slow fire, 
without whicii precaution they are liable to crumble 
to pieces, but by following it they may be preserved 
for many years. These celebrated fossil oysters are 
found with both their valves or shells connected, as 
though they had never been opened, but they are so 
brittle that the least violence will separate them. 
Many however are found quite entire, and some 
double oysters have been dug out with all their valves 
united. They lie through a circumference of five or 
six acres of ground, in beds of green sand, upon a 
foundation of hard rocky chalk. The stratum of sand 
and shells is about two feet deep, immediately above 
which is a bed of blueish clay, hard, brittle, lugged, 
and of no utility ; and about a yard in depth a stratum 
of fuller's earth, nearly two feet and a half deep, 
lies upon the layer of clay, and above the former 
there is about seven feet of fine white sand, without 
any mixture of earth or clay; a stiff red clay, used 
for the manufacture of tiles, forms the uppermost 
stratum, which is covered by a little common earth, 
about two feet deep. A few egg fish have been dug 
out of the hill,Jbut none lately ; and it is said a spider 

* Kate's Grove or Cat's Grove, is in the parish of St, Gile% 
and was usually called Cadeles Grove and Cattle Grove* 



262 HISTORY OF reading. 

was once found alive here, embedded in the heart of 
a solid flint. The appearance of fossil remains is not 
entirely confined to this spot, though they are found 
there in greater abundance than any where else in the 
neighbourhood. The same appearances are discovered 
on digging wells in a north-west direction from 
Kate's Grove Lane, as far as the parish of Tilehurst. 
At Prospect Hill, in the latter parish, some workmen 
found, at a very great depth from the surface of the 
hill, a large block of stone, on removing which they 
discovered a vast quantity of cockle shells, on a layer 
of sea sand. Various conjectures have been made to 
account for the origin of this continued stratum, but 
none determine with any degree of satisfaction or 
probability whether it is the ruins of another world, 
or the decomposition of this. We subjoin one of the 
theories on the subject, quoted from Plot's Natural 
History of Oxfordshire, printed in 1617, which we 
leave to the judgment of our readers. The author of 
it appears to have possessed a very enviable facility 
for smoothing difficulties. 

" Reading having been a town of very great action 
during the invasion of the Danes, who cutting a deep 
trench across, between the Kennet and Thames, and 
enclosing themselves, as it were, in an island, held it 
ugainst King Ethelred and Alfred, his brother, a 
considerable time, from whence, in all probability, 
the Saxons having removed their cattle, it is likely 
that they might be supplied by their navy with 
oysters, which during the time of the abode of their 
army on land might be very suitable employment for 
it. Which conjecture if allowed, there is nothing 
more required to make out the possibility of the bed 
of oysters coming thither, without a deluge, but that 
Cat's Grove was the place appointed for the army's 
repast." 

BOTANY. 

Mr. Man mentions a curious plant called the man 
orchis, having been found in the meadows near 
Reading, it is, however, extremely rare. The 
meadows on the south-west of the town abound 
generally with peat. The river Kennet takeo its course 



HISTORY OF R1!:aI>TN<?. 2^3 

tlrrougii a line of peat bed which extends from Read- 
ing to Hungerford. All the meadows between those 
places and contiguous to the above river are beauti- 
fully watered and produce a large quantity of hay^ 
independently of the early feed got from them. 
Part of the surface of this tract of meadow^s is of a 
gravelly soil, which is best adapted for water 
ineadows ; the other part of the tract consists of peat 
of a peculiar and excellent quality, extending fiona 
one quarter to three quarterstjf a mile in breadth, and 
sixteen miles in length. The great value of peat 
arises from the great demand for it as a fuel, and for 
its ashes as a manure. Grass lands, particularly clover, 
leys, and sainfoin, are supposed toderire great benefit 
from peat ashes being laid upon them. The quantity 
necessary to dress an aere varies according to the 
condition of the land, but it is reckoned at from 
fifteen to twenty-five bushels. The peat found in the 
meadows near the town is very little used, from its 
supposed inferiority in quality to that found in the 
neighbourhood of Woolhampton. Mr. Jokn Stevens of 
Reading once opened a pk in one of his grounds for 
the purpose of procuring peat ashes, but the attemprt 
proved unsuccessful, from the prejudices entertained 
by the usual purchasers of that productioa, ia favour 
of the ashes, procured *t Woolhampton. Urns mjA 
other remaini have been discovered within the peat, 
and numbers of various kinds of trees, irregularly 
disposed oil each other; hazel nuts and the cones of 
the fir-tree are frequently met with in the peat bed 
just noticed, but we believe that no acorns have ever 
been found in it. 

POPULATION. 
An account of the number of inhabitants in Read- 
ing was taken in 1556, by order of Cardinal Pole, at 
which time the census amounted to 2,500; but the 
real number is said to have been considerably greater, 
and to have amounted to nearly 4000, as in less than 
fifty years subsequent to the period above mentioned, 
the population amounted to about 4,700. It is ascer- 
tained that during the next one hundred years the total 
number of the Inhabitants had increased by neariy 



264 histoHy of reading. 

300. In the year 1700 the amount was 7,690 ; in 1790 
the population had arisen to 10,789 individuals, but 
in ten years it decreased to 9,742 ; it a^ain increased 
in the following ten years, and reached 1 193 in 1810, 
and fell off once more in 1811, when the amount of 
population just equalled what it had been in 1790. In 
1821 there were 2,685 houses, and 12,867 inhabitants. 
The following is the amount returned on the 30th of 
May, 1831: 

St. Lawrence - .. - 4,046 

St. Mary .... 6,797 

St. Giles - • - . 5,107 



15,950 



In the year 1731 the population was only 8000, and 
we find by the above total that in the course of one 
century the number of inhabitants was very nearly 
doubled ; indeed it is not improbable that the amount 
may have been more th^n doubled, as the Berkshire 
Staff and Military in the town were not included in the 
return made in 1831. 

Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials during the year 
1831 : 





Mar. 




Bap. 


Bur. 


St. Lawrence 


42 


. 


123 


97 


St. Mary - 


53 


. 


198 


111 


St. Giles - 


44 


. 


142 - 


110 



Total . . 139 463 318 

LOCAL COINAGE. 

Tokens have been coined at various times in Read- 
ing for the relief of the ttading community, when a 
circulating medium was wanted. Coates says that no 
town piece is known,and that the tradesmen's tokens are 
not very numerous. He notices a heart-shaped token 
of Hugh Cameron as being rare and curious, and 
adds the following list of others frequently to be met 
with :* 

* From the accession of Elizabeth to the reign of Charles II, 
permission to «oin small money, or tokens was given to all 
tradesmen who chose to do so. The materials were generally 



HISTORY or READING. 265 

1 Mary Blower. A coat of arms. Of Reading, 1652, M.B. 
a Francis Tassel. The head of Charles II. crowned. In 
Reading, 1665, F.T.E. 

3 Daniel Martin, D.M.E. In Reading, Gardner, 1653. 

4 John Wilder, the elder, in Reading, I.W.A. A pelican 

feeding her young in the nest. 

5 John Hawie. A pair of shears. In Reading, I.H.M. 

6 Thomas Phipps. A man dipping candles. Of Redding, 1652, 

T.P.E. 

7 Henry Whittell. A woman churning. In Reading, H.W.I. 

8 Thomas Underwood. A pair of shears. In Reading, 1666, 

T.U.M. 

9 Nicholas Edwards. A coat of arms. In Reading, 1667, 

N.E.E. 

10 Clement Barlow, at the Bell in Reading, C.M.G. A bell. 

11 John Harrison, living in Reading, I.H.M. A candle in a 

candlestick. 

12 Martha Knight, 1559, in Reading, Lin. Drap. 

13 Moses Lamb. A pair of shears. In Redden, 1658, M.L.R. 

14 Thomas Winckells. Three stars. In Reading, baker, 

T.W.A. 

15 Thomas Bye, of Reading, mealman, T.B.L. The iron 

cramp of a mill, and a sack of flour. 

16 Frances Brown, The baker's arms. In Redin, baker, 

F.B.K. 

17 John Paise at the An angel. In Redding, 1666, 1.P.E. 

18 William Burly. A hand and glove. In Reading, 1655, 

W.B.E. 

19 William Champe, 1658. In Readinge, W. C. T. 

20 Richard Hallows, Crossed stockings. In Reading, 1656, 

R.H.M. 

21 Humphrey Mills, The drapers' arms. Draper in Reading, 

H.M. 

22 Solomon Barnard, A rabbit. Reading, 1653, S.B.E, 

We may mention in addition to these that L B. 
Monck, esq. of Coley House issued in 1812 three 

of lead, tin, copper, or brass ; and communities or individuals 
who issued this useful kind of specie were obliged to take it 
again, when brought to them. In large towns where tokens of 
various sorts were in circulation, it was usual for a tradesman 
to keep a sorting box, into the partitions of which he put the 
several pieces of the respective persons who issued them, and 
when he had accumulated a certain quantity of one individual's 
money, he sent it to him, and received silver in exchange. This 
custom was continued till the year 1672, when Charles II. 
struck a sufficient quantity of halfpence and farthings for the 
exigencies of trade, and stopped the further circiUation of 
private tokens. 



266 HISTORY OF READING. 

sorts of tokens in ^old and silver to a larsre amount ; 
a step which was of jrreat benefit to the inhabitants, 
who were at that time much distressed by the want of 
a circulating^ medium, owin^ to the war on the con- 
tinent, and the constant drain of the specie for the 
payment of our forces in Spain. Of these tokens one 
was a gold piece valued at forty shillinijs, and the 
other two silver, valued respectively at half-a-crown 
and one shilling and sixpence. Their impressions 
were as follows ; 

1 The head of King Alfred with crown and sceptre, the mon- 

arch's name and date (1812) beneath ; the whole encir- 
cled with this legend : '* Pignora Certa Petis, Do 
Pignora certa ; " on the reverse, 40 Shillings, Berks. 
Token, Standd. Gold, 6 Dwts. 18 Gr. Reading; around 
which, Payable in Bank Notes, at 6s. the dwt. by I. B. 
Monck, esq. 

2 The motto, ** Labimur In Pejus, Donee Meliora Revertant, 

1811," encircling the corporation arms ; on the other 
side, Half-Crown Token, Span. Doll. Silver, 6 Dwts. 
Payable in Bank Notes by T B. Monck, esq. 

3 The corporation arms within the legend,** Labimur, &c." and 

the impression on the reverse the same as on that of 
the half-crown token, except in naming the diiFerence of 
weight and value : the value of this token being, 18 
Pence, and the weight, 4 Dwts. 
NEWSPAPERS. 
There are two newspapers published weekly in 
Reading, "The Reading Mercury" and "The Berk- 
shire Chronicle ; " the former was established by Mr. 
John Watts, a member of the corporation, and the 
first number appeared on Monday, July 8, 1723. The 
Mercury advocates the liberal side of politics, while 
the principles of the Chronicle are strictly Con- 
servative,- and they are both ably conducted journals. 



In conclusion of our general view of the town, 
we may remark, as the last of the micellaneous 
notices of which it is comprised, that Reading- has 
had the honour of giving its name to a title of 
a barony. Sir Jacob Astley of Melton, Constable, 
in Norfolk, was, in return for his services to Charles 
1., created Lord Astley of Reading, in the year 
1645; but the dignity became some time after- 
vFards extinct at the decease of his grandson Jacob. 



HISTORY OF READING. 267 

The title was however renewed, and conferred in 17 16 
on General William Caduoan, who was created 
Lord Cadogan, Baron of Reading, for havin^^^ signa- 
lized himself under the Duke of jMarlburouu^h, and 
during the rebellion of 1/15. He was afterwards 
successively created Baron Oakley, Viscount Caver- 
sham, and Earl Cadogan ; all which titles hecame 
extinct at his death, except that of Baron Oakley, 
whith devolved on his brother Charles, from whom 
the present Lord Cadogan is descended. 

PERSONS OF NOTE, NATIVES OF READING. 
Robert Mason 
was a student at Oxford, where he took the degree of Doctor 
in Civil Law. He was afterwards arch-deacon of Northum- 
berland, and was collated to the precentorship of Lincoln in 
14S1 ; he exchanged the prebend of Kilsley in Northampton- 
shire, annexed to that precentorship, for the prebend of Far- 
rendon. He died in 1493, and was buried in the cathedral of 
Lincoln. 

Sir Thomas White, 
"bom at Rixmans worth (in Hertfordshire), was merchant 
taylor in London, where he was lord-mayor, anno 1553. He 
built Gloucester Hall, and endowed St. John's College in 
Oxford. He bestowed great sums of money on several corpo- 
rations for poor freemen." The above extract from Fuller's 
Worthies has at various times been proved to be incorrect, as 
far as it relates to the birthplace of Sir Thomas 'VVTiite. That 
benevolent gentleman was the son of a native of Ricksman- 
worth, engaged in the clothing business in Reading, and is 
supposed to have been born in a house, not now standing, in the 
Butter Market. Sir Thomas served his apprenticeship in 
London, and became by his industry and economy one of the 
wealthiest merchants in the city. He served the office of 
sheriff under Edward VI., and arose to the dignity of lord 
mayor in the first year of Queen Mary, by whom he was 
knighted for his efficient services during the rebellion of Sir 
Thomas Wyatt. He was twice married, and died on the 11th 
of February, 1566, in the 72nd year of his age. His burial, 
which took place at St. John's College, was, according to the 
directions expressed in his will, conducted in a private manner ; 
and the munificent bequests that he made, many of which 
remain to this day, the memorials of his extensive liberality, 
prove the improbability of a report, at one time circulated, that 
towards the close of his life he fell into extreme poverty. 
Archbishop Laud. 
William Laud was born in Broad-street, Reading, October 
the 7th, 1573. His father was a native of Wokingham, and 
carried on the trade or a clothier in this town, of which his 



268 HISTORY OF READING* 

mother was a native. He received his education at the free 
school here, and in July, 1589, was admitted of St. John's 
College in Oxford. During his residence there, he successively 
attained all the honours which the university could confer ; 
but he incurred the displeasure of the vice-chancellor, Dr. 
Abbot, by defending the perpetual visibility of the Church of 
Rome, as a part of the church of Christ, till the Reformation ; 
enraged the Puritans by maintaining the necessity of baptism 
and episcopal government ; and gave great offence to the 
Calvinists by attacking their doctrines, and preaching in favour 
of the Arminians. The greatest error however committed by 
him while in the university, and one which he bitterly repented 
all the remainder of his life, was his performing the ceremony 
of marriage between the Earl of Devonshire (to whom he was 
chaplain) and Penelope, the wife of Lord Rich, from whom she 
was living in a state of separation. He obtained the vicarage 
of Stanford in Northamptonshire in 1607, and the advowson of 
North Kilworth in Leicestershire the following year. In 
September, 1609, he preached his first sermon before King 
James, and in the month of May following was presented to 
Cuckstone in Kent, which he soon afterwards exchanged for 
Norton. In the course of a few years he was chosen president 
of St. John's, appointed chaplain to the king, received the 
prebendary of Bugden, was promoted to the deanery of Glou- 
cester, and inducted into the rectory of Ibstock in Leicester- 
shire. In 1620 he succeeded to a prebend of Westminster, was 
shortly after appointed bishop of St. David's, and received 
from the king the rectory of Creeke in Northamptonshire. In 
1622 the conference of Laud and Fisher the Jesuit was held 
before the Marquis of Buckingham and his mother, that they 
might determine which church they would follow, they being at 
the time wavering professors of Protestanism. On Candlemas 
day, 1625, he officiated at the coronation of Charles I., and 
was subsequently accused of having altered the coronation 
oath at that ceremony, and adding the words, "saving the 
king's prerogative royal," to that part where the king swears 
** to maintain the laws." In 1626 he was translated to Bath 
and Wells, appointed dean of the chapel royal, and during the 
next four years was made a privy counsellor, Bishop of 
London, and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The 
severe (and often jnst) prosecutions which he carried on in the 
star-chamber and high commission courts against libellous 
preachers and writers, excited the ill-will and jealousy of his 
enemies ; and the resolution which he formed, while in Scotland 
with Charles, of introducing the episcopal rule of goverment 
into the church of that part of the kingdom, was the first step 
towards the violent deaths both of himself and his sovereign. 

He was translated to the see of Canterbury in August, 1633, 
and twice during the same month received the offer of a 
cardinars hat, which he declined both times with the same 



HISTORY OF READING. 269 

answer, ^' that somewhat dwelt within him which would not 
suffer that, till Rame were other than it is." His principal acts 
after his advancement to the archbishopric, all of which were 
brought as accusations against him at the period of his trial, 
were : — an injunction that no clergyman should be ordained 
without a title ; an order for the removal of the communion 
table to the east side of the church ; his supposed revisal of the 
declaration concerning lawful sports on Sundays, and the order 
for the prosecution of all clergymen who refused to read the 
declaration in their churches ; his settlement of the revenues 
of the London clergy ; and his obtaining for those of Ireland a 
grant of all impropriations then remaining in the crown. While 
archbishop he was appointed one of the committee of trade 
and revenue, and a commissioner of the treasury and exchequer. 
In 1637 the canons which he had compiled for the Scottish 
liturgy were brought into use, and occasioned most violent 
tumults at Edinbugh, with great abuse of the archbishop, 
whose unpopularity was much increased by the prosecution of 
Prynnne, Bastwick, and Burton, and of Bishop Williams and 
Osbaldeston, the master of Westminster school. Equally 
offensive to the public was the reduction of master printers, the 
order that no book should be printed without a permission from 
Laud, or other church dignitaries, and his letter to the clergy, 
exhorting them to contribute largely towards raising an army 
against the Scots. When the new parliament of 1640 was 
dissolved, the convocation remained sitting, and Laud was 
accused of being the author of the canons made by the latter 
assembly. A committe was appointed by the Commons in 
December 4, of the above year, to prepare a charge against 
him for the same, and other matters ; and in a fortnight after- 
wards he was formally accused of high treason, and committed 
into custody until the articles of impeachment were fully 
prepared. His trial did not come on till March, 12, 1643; he 
was in the mean time suspended from his office and benefice, 
and he appears to have suffered a most unjust and rigorous 
treatment during the term of his captivity. The trial lasted 
above twenty days, and ended, after some opposition from the 
Lords, ill his being condemned to suffer death by hanging ; but 
on the archbishop petitioning not to be condemned to so igno- 
minious an end, the Commons consented that he should 
undergo the penalty of being beheaded,* His behaviour on the 

* After he had been heard by his counsel, " Sergeant Wildf , 
on behalf of the Commons, repeated that though it was mt 
alleged that any one of his crimes amounted to a treason or 
felony^ yet all his misdemeanours put together did, by way of 
accumulation, make many grand treasons. To which the 
archbishop's adva2ate replied , •' I crave your mercy good 
Mr. Sergeant, I never understood before this time that two 
hundred couple of black rabbits would make a black horse.'* 
Southey's Book of the Church, vol. 2, p. 435. 



270 ttlSfORY OP READING 

iicaifold was remarkable for its dignity, at once heroic and 
humble. He received the fatal stroke on January 3, 1645, and 
was buried in the church of All-Hallows, Barking ; but the 
body was removed to St. John's College in 1663, where it was 
placed in a vault near the altar. 

Fuller says that he w^as ** one of low stature but high parts ; 
piercing eyes, cheerful countenance, wherein gravity and 
pleasantness were well compounded, admirable in his naturals^ 
tinblamable in his morals, being very strict in his conversation* 
Impartial posterity will allow his name to he reposed among 
the heroes of England, seeing stich as behold his expence on 
St. Paul's as but a cypher, will assign his other benefactions & 
tery valuable signification." The archbishop's benefactions 
were indeed valuable ; and ^Reading, the town of his birth, has 
just cause to acknowledge with pride and gratitude the liberality 
which it has experienced from the hands of the victim of the 
sanguinary brawlers of ** down With Baal's altars." His 
legacies will be found in the list of CharitableDonations. 

Nathaniel CanGn 
was a commoner of St. Mary's Hall in 1597. He took one 
degree in arts, and entering into holy orders, became minister 
of Wokingham, and afterwards vicar of Hurley, which dignity 
he enjoyed 46 years. He died in 1664. 

Thomas Turner, 
born in St, Giles's parish, was chaplain to Archbishop Laud^ 
and chaplain in ordinary to Charles I., to whom he constantly 
adhered in all his sufferings. He was obliged to fly for his life, 
after being robbed of his effects, and sequestered of his church 
of St. Olave in Southwark by the usurping government ; but 
the miseries he endured during the period of the commonwealth 
were in some measure compensated for, by his restoration to 
his preferments in the church by Charles 11. He died in 1672, 
and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. 

John Blagrave. 
The year of his birth is not known, but it is certain that he 
studied at the free school, and he is said by Wood to have beeti 
admitted at St. John's, Oxford. He however took no degree at 
the university, but after a short residence, returned to Reading 
to pursue his mathematical studies. He published several works 
upon various branches of the arts and sciences, and dying at 
Southcot in 1611, was buried in St. Lawrence's church, near 
the remains of his mother. He made several bequests to the 
town, which will be found among the Charitable Donations. 
One of them is the sum of £10., to be thus disposed ofj 
** Twenty nobles of the £lO. to some one poor maiden servant, 
that hath served, dwelled, and continued in any one service, in 
any of the three parishes of Reading, in good name and fame, 
the full term of five years at the least, for her help and perfor- 
mance in marriage. And the better to aToid partiality in the 



jnSTORY OF READING. 271 

choice of the said maid, he directs that there shall be yearly,- 
every good Fryday, three such maidens in election, to cast, try, 
and carry it by lot whose the fortune shall be. The three to be 
taken out of each parish one ; but every fifth year one to be' 
chosen from Southcot." The remainder of the sum is directed 
to be divided among various parties named in the will. Similar 
legacies have been left in imitation of this charity, and one of 
Laud's, but do not extend to those who have received the " 
toiefits of Blagrave's and the archbishop's charities ; and iii 
17S6^ Aubry Flory, esq* settled five guineas : tliree to the 
second highest number thrown by the candidates, and two 
guineas to the last number of the three* 

Daniel BLAGRAtrE^ 
nephtw to the abcrve, was bred to the bar, represented this 
borchigh in parliament in 1640, and appointed recorder of it in 
1645. He attended the High Court of Justice during the trial 
of Charles I., and signed the warrant for putting that king to 
death. He was afterwards Exigenter in the Common Pleas, a 
Master in Chancery, Treasurer of Berks., and one of the 
County Commissioners, authorized to remove all insufficient 
ministers, in which office- he was distinguished by his vexatious 
persecutions of the clergy. He was also a member of the 
Convention Parliament in 1058, is supposed to have purchased 
various estates by the emoluments of his office in the Conmion 
Pleas ; and at the Restoration fled to Achen* in Germany/ 
where he died in an obscure condition in 1668. 

Joseph Blagrave 
was bom in ihe parish of St. Giles in 1610, and was a great 
enthusiast in the study of i\.strology ; on which science, and its 
application to other branches of knowledge he published various 
works. He died in 1679. 

William Creed 
was bom in the parish of St. Lawrence, and studied at 
Oxford, where he rose to he bachelor of divinity, and proctor 
of the university. During his life time he became rector of 
East Codford in Wiltshire, archdeacon of that county, preben- 
dary in the church of St. Salisbury, and rector of Stockton, 
Wilts. He adhered to the king's cause, was a defender of the 
Church of England in the Worst of times, a good scholastic 
disputant, and an eminent divine. He died in 1663, and was 
buried with great solemnity in the north aisle of the cathedral 
of Christ Church. 

James Merrick, 
born in 1719, was educated at Reading school, and when senior 
scholar, and celebrated for his abilities, was elected by the 
majority of aldermen to a scholarship at St. John's ; but his 
election being unjustifiably and violently opposed by the 
burgesse?, he entered at Trinity College, took high honours^ 

* Aix La Chapelle. 



2/2 HISTORY OP RfeADINO. 

and became hitor to Lord North and Lord Dartmouth. He 
was ordained, but never actively engaged, in parochial duties, 
being subject to acute pains in his head, frequent lassitude, and 
feverish complaints. Mr. Coates gives a long list of wor^s 
tjomposedby him, generally on sacred subjects, and many of 
them written at a very early age. He possessed a mature and 
distinguished knowledge of the most elegant branches of 
literature, was blest with an extraordinary memory, and was 
celebrated for his good nature and wit. His charity was 
extensive and his piety exemplary. He died, after a short 
illness, in January, 1*769, and was buried in Caversham Church, 
near the remains of his family. 

Sir John Barnard, Knt. 
was born in Minster-street ; he was educated in the religious 
persuasion of his parents, who were quakers, till the age of 19, 
when he was baptized by Bishop Compton at Fulham. He 
represented the city of London in parliament during many 
years. His character as a merchant was unblemished, and he 
was at the head of the body of merchants who came forward in 
the year 1745, for the support of public credit. His statue was 
placed in the Royal Exchange during his life time, and his 
modesty was so truly great, that it is said he never entered 
that building afterwards. He died in 1664, and was buried in the 
chancel of Mortlake ChurcK* 

William Baker, 
an eminent and learned printer, was born in Reading in the 
year 1742.The zealous, ?»nd as far as his health was concerned, 
injudicious industry with which he applied to study, introduced 
him to the notice of a dignitary of the church, who approved 
of his inclination for entering holy orders. In this however he 
was by some means disappointed ; but he indulged his passion 
for literature by learning the business of a printer, which he 
exercised in London till he died. While engaged in this occu- 
patic>n, he enjoyed the friendsnip of many of the celebrated men 
of his age, with some of whom he carried on an elegant 
correspondence in Latin. He possessed a complete and critical 
knowledge of the Greek, Latin, French, and Italian languages, 
was partially acquainted with the Hebrew, and a perfect master 
of his own. His prose compositions were written with much 
taste, and his talent for poetry was of a high order. He died 
5n 1785, aged 43 years, andwas buried in St.Dioni's Backchurch, 
London. A Latin epitaph to his memory is placed on the tomb 
of his family, in the churchyard of St. Mary, Reading. 

* In a note to the correspondence of Horace Walpole, 
'edited by the late lamented Lord Dover (the last literary work 
of that amiable nobleman). Sir I. Barnard is noticed as ** a 
great London Merchant, and one of the members for the city. 
His reputation for integrity and ability gave him much weight 
with the House of Commons/' 



HISTORY OP READING. 273 

Sir Coxstanttne Phipps 
was of an Irish family, but it is said was born in Reading*. 
He was made Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1710, from which 
oiRce the CGmmons of Ireland petitioned the qneen in 1713 
that he might be removed ; while the House of Lords and the 
Convocation addressed her majesty in his behalf. He however 
resigned the seals in the following year, on the change of 
ministry attending the accession of George I., and retired into 
private life. He died at London in 1723, aged 68, and was 
buried at White Waltham in the county of Berks. 

Peter Zixran, m.d. 
was the descendant of a family originally from Italy. He was 
born at Reading in 1705, and educated at Magdalene College ia 
Oxford, where, in 1742, he took the degree of bachelor and 
doctor in physic. He followed the latter profession for some 
time in this town, but retired from it upon his first marriage. 
He died in 1781, aged 76, and was buried in St. Mary^s church 
yard. <* He was a man of fine parts," says Mr. Coates, ^* but 
of little application. Though naturally reserved, his conver- 
sation when among congenial friends was fluent, nervous, 
lively, and rich in metaphor." 

Phanuel Bacox, d.d. 
was the son of Phanuel Bacon, vicar of St. LawTence's, and 
was a fellow collegian of Dr. Zinran's. He published five 
dramatic performances and various poems. He was also the 
author of '* the Snipe," and ** a Song of Similies," preserved 
in ** the Oxford Sausage." The former is said to be one of the 
best ballads in the English language, and founded on facts, 
''the Frier" denoting the author, and *' Peter" his fellow 
collegian above mentioned. Dr. Bacon was vicar of Bramber 
in Sussex, and rector of Balden in Oxfordshire, where he 
died June 10, 1783, in the 83rd year of his age. 

Mary Latter 
was a resident in, but not a native of Reading, having been 
born at Henley upon Thames in 1725. She indulged her talent 
for satirical poetry by writing some verses descriptive of the 
persons and characters of several ladies who were inhabitants 
of the town ; and which she afterwards disowned in a ludicrous 
rhyming advertisement inserted in the Mercury. In 1759 she 
published a small volume of miscellaneous works, wherein she 
describes herself as living *' not very far from the market 
place, immersed in business and in debt, sometimes madly 
hoping to gain a competency, sometimes justly fearing dungeons 
and distress." She was treated with uncommon esteem by Rich, 
the patentee of Covent Garden Theatre ; but that gentleman's 
death put an end to the hopes and expectations she had formed 
of having her tragedy, The Siege of Jerusalem^ represented on 
the stage, and of the probable benefits that might arise from its 
success. She continued to TVTite for support until her death, 
w^hich took place at her house in Reading, March 28, 1777» 

T 



274 HISTORY OF READING* 

She was buried in the church yard of St. Lawrence, near the 
chancel, and close to the remains of her mother. 

John Rowell 
was an artist of celebrity who resided many years in this town, 
but is supposed to have been a native of High Wycombe in 
Buckinghamshire. He was a professor of the ancient art of 
painting on glass, and many of his works yet remain in the 
windows of various churches and chapels. He preserved the 
above noble art by the discovery of the composition of the 
beautiful red v>"hich is so conspicuous in our old windows. He 
offered to explain and teach the same to any proper person for 
a reasonable consideration, buthis secret died with him in 1756. 

Richard Cole, 
otherwise known as poet Cole, was born in this town about the 
year 1715. It is uncertain whether he was brought up to any 
business, as in the latter part of his life he lived retired on a 
small patrimony in St. Mary's Butts. Though fond of company, 
he was reserved, except among his intimate friends ; and 
though reserved, attached to the youngs vdth whom he loved^to 
converse and associate. His poetry was principally of a serious 
and religious nature, suitable to the disposition of his mind; 
though some of his pieces w^ere of a satirical cast, and written 
in the style of Butler's Hudibras. Mr, Cole died in 1777 and 
was buried in St. Mary's church-yard. 



ExNVIRONS OF READING. 

There are numerous walks in the nei.^hhourhood of 
ReadiniT, which will be found to offer many delightful 
objects to the pencil, in scenery combining two thins^s 
than which nothing can be more at variance — beauty 
in nature and picturesque beauty; and from which 
the artist may select pictures of very distinct char- 
acters, worthy of being- dwelt on with admiration. 
The two best situations for viewing the town itself to 
great advantage are from the Cavershain Hills, and 
from a broad green terrace m one part of the grounds 
at White-Knights. The latter is about two miles 
south-east from Reading, and is one of the earliest 
specimens of the ferme ornee in England. Tbe pros- 
pect from this spot is bounded on front by Caversbam 
House and woods, and the Shiplake groves, forming 
the centre and one side of a picture, the east side of 
which comprises the summit of Sunning Hill, and an 
occasional glance of the river Thames. White-Knigbts 
was formerly the property of the Duke of IMarlbo- 
©ugh, but has recently, after a long course of legal 



HISTORY OF READING. 275 

adjiurication, fallen into the possession of a private 
individual, a native of Yorkshire. The house is a plain 
white edifice, placed nearly in the centre of the 
^'rounds, which chiefly consist of pasture and arable 
lands, intersected by an irregular sheet of water, 
bordered by gradually slopinj^ lawns, on which the 
oak and poplar, and nearer to the edge of the lake, 
the graceful pendent willow are agreeably, and with 
regard to effect, picturesquely disposed. The artist 
again will meet with many points worth transferring 
to his portfolio in the walk between Rending and the 
village of Sonning, by the river side. There is one 
particularly agreeable view may be taken from the 
lock; the efiect of the distance in the view we allude 
to is much increased by the residence of R. Palmer, 
esq.* (situated on an elevated spot above the Thames, 
near Sonning bridge), the trees among which the 
mansion is apparently shrouded conferring additional 
value on the bright spot of light which the house itself 
receives from its position. The village of Sunning 
was once the see of a bishop, whose diocese included 
the counties of Berks, and Wilts. It was successively 
filled by nine bishops who had a palace and park 
here; but in the time of Harrison, the last occupant, 
the bishopric was translated to Sherburne in Dorset- 
shire, and finally to Salisbury, to whose bishops this 
village still belongs. The parish contains about 7000 
acres, exclusive of apart which is within an insulated 
district of Wiltshire. The parsonage house attached 
to the church is a very pleasing structure. 

Tioyford is a small village about two miles from 
Sonning, on the road from Reading to Maidenhead, 
It is situated near the confluence of the Loddonf 
with the Thames, and receives its appellation from 
two fords over the former river, which are now 
replaced by as many ^vooden bridges. This village 
and its vicinity may be considered classic ground, for 
Pope (according to Roscoe) went to school here, 
though no tradition of the sort is known among the 

* Holme Park — Mr. Palmer is one of the county members. 

f ** The Loddea slow with verdant elders crowned."-r-Pope. 

s 2 



276^ HtSTORY OF READING. 

inhabitants — Day, the author of Sondford and Merfon, 
died at Bear Hill, in the neiiifhbourhood, and his 
remains lie interred in the church at Warg-rave, a 
pleasant villag-e two miles north-east of IVyford, and 
once celebrated for the princely mansion and the 
splendid entertainments of the amiable but dissolute 
Earl of Barrymore. About the same distance on the 
opposite side of Twyford is Ruscombe, hallowed as 
the residence and the f^rave of William Penn ; it is a 
retired villao^e, but worthy of a visit from those who 
love to contemplate the resting places of departed 
worth. Before proceeding finally to Maidenhead, we 
would recommend all travellers wdiose time is at their 
own disposal, and all artists in particular, to ascend 
Bowsey Hill, an eminence east of Twyford, the 
extended and magnificent view from the summit of 
which will amply repay the moderate fatigue incurred 
m the ascent. 

MAIDENHEAD. 
The ancient name of this place was South Arlington 
orSudlington, and in some ancient records relating to 
it, it is also called Maiden-hithe. Its present appel- 
lation is supposed to be derivecl from the great 
Teneration paid here formerly to the head of a British 
virgin, who was said to have suffered martyrdom with 
St. Ursula, at the electoral city of Cologne in Ger- 
many. It is situated 13 miles east of Reading, and 2^ 
miles west of London, on the borders of the Thames, 
and consists principally of one long paved street, the 
north side of which is in the parish of Cookham, and 
the south in the parish of Bray. Before the building 
of the first bridge here about 12.97, the great western 
road passed through Burnham and crossed theThames 
atBabham Ferry, near Cookham. This bridge which 
was of wood was maintained by the corporation, who 
for that end were allowed the tolls both over and 
Tinder, and three trees yearly out of Windsor forest, 
towards keeping it in repair. The present bridge is of 
stone, and is a work of considerable merit. It was 
commenced in 177- from the designs of Sir Robert 
Taylor, and consists of thirteen semi-circular arches, 
seven of them in the centre of stone, and the thre© 



HISTORY OF RKADING. 2/7 

extreme ones at each end of brick. The expence of 
building ainuuuted vo ^"19,000, exclusive of llue 
purchase of some contiofuoUvS land, to render the work 
complete. The barj^e pier divides the counties of 
Berks, and Buckingham. The principal trade is in 
malt, meal, corn, and timber, which are conveyed to 
London in barges. By the charter of James II. the 
government of the town is vested in a mayor and 
aldermen, who choose from their own body a high 
steward, bridge master, and ether officers. The 
market, granted by the charier of Henry VL, is held 
on Wednesdays, and there are three fairs during the 
year. There are eight almshouses in the town, erected 
in 1659, for eight men and their wives,* and there is 
also a gaol for debtors and felons. The population 
amounts to nearly 13,000. The village of Bray is a 
little to the south-east of Maidenhead, and is supposed 
by Cambden to have been the ancient Bibracte, and 
the habitation of the Bibroci, who submitted to 
Csesar when he crossed the Thames. Its chief celebrity 
now is derived from the incumbent of the living in 
the sixteenth century, who from his determination to 
live and die vicar of Bray, shaped his conscience to 
the times, and in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VT. 
JMary, and Elizabeth, Vv'as twice a furious papist, and 
twice a zealous protestant. 

WOKINGHAM, 
or Oakingham is a large market town, 7 miles E.S.E. 
of Reading, and 32 miles W.S.W. of London. It is 
situated in the hundred of Sonning, on the edge of 
Windsor Forest, partly in Berkshire, and partly in an 
insulated part of Wiltshire. It consists of three 
streets, which meeting in the centre form a spacious 
area on which the market house is situated. The latter 
is an ancient building, framed with timber and open 
at the bottom, with a town hall above, wherein the 
public business is transacted. The church is a spacious 
structure, situated in that part of the parish which is 
in Wiltshire. The outside is composed of fiints and 
rough grout work, the inside of the walls is princi- 
pally oif chalk. The interior has three aisles, supported 
by handsome pillars^ and contaius several aiouumeats^ 



278 HISTORY OF READING. 

one of which, in the chancel, is to the memory of 
Thomas Goodwin, Bishop of Bath and Wells, who 
was born in this town in the year 1517. The town 
contains a free-i?rammar school and several charity 
schooli. Archbishop Laud bequeathed to Wokingham 
an estate, the rent of which, amounting to about ^40 
per annum, is paid every third year to three servant 
girls ai^ed 18, natives of the town, who shall have 
faithfully served one master or mistress for three 
successive years ; and in the other years it is to be 
applied to the apprenticing of five boys. All the 
courts for Windsor Forest are held in this town, which 
Was incorporated by James I., under an alderman, 
high steward, recorder, burgesses, and town clerk. 
It was formerly celebrated for the silk stockingn 
manufactured in it, but the inhabitants are now more 
generally employed in agriculture, throwing silk, 
sorting wool, and making shoes, gauze, &c. and they 
amount in number to very nearly 3000. There has 
been for many years a singular custom of baiting two 
bulls in the market place on St. Thomas's day, for 
"which purpose a small estate was foolishly bequeathed 
by Mr. Staverton for the purchase of a bull, to be 
given to the poor after being baited. About one 
mile from the" town on Lockerley Green there is a 
hospital founded in 1663, for a chaplain or master, 
and as many poor men as the funds^will support, under 
the direction of the Drapers' Company of London ; 
and about three miles and a half S.E. of W^okingham, 
near Easthamstead Park, there is an extensive forti- 
fication, situated on the summit of a hill, and sur- 
rounded by a double ditch called Caesar's camp. 
There is also near the camp a raised road nearly 
ninety feet wide, with a trench on each side, running 
east and west, which is known by the anti-euphonic 
appellation of the Devil's Highway. We have been 
unable to trace the origin of this name, which was 
probably conferred on it without any other reason 
than from the strange nature of its appearance, utque 
mos vulgo. 

CAVERSHAM. 
is a neat village in Oxfordshire, situated upon the 



HISTORY OF READING. 27!J 

Thames, over which there is a bridufe, and is about 
two miles N. of Readings, on the road to Henley. 
The two counties of Berks and Oxford meet nearly 
in the centre of the brida^e The south division, 
under which bari^es pass, and the live brick arches 
north of it are in Berkshire, and are kept in repair 
by the corporation of Reading", who formerly levied 
a toll on all strano^ers erossino- any of the brids^es 
leadinof into the town, and also upon all barges 
making- the passai^e under Caversham bridge. It is 
not known when the former exaction ceased, but the 
latter was continued down to the reign of James II., 
when it was resisted by the barge masters of Oxford, 
who claimed exemption from the tolls upon a parti- 
cular plea on behalf of themselves, and upon a 
general one for the benefit of all proprietors of barges 
at large. Under the form^er they claimed their privi- 
lege, as citizens of Oxford to be exempt from the 
payment of pontage throughout all England, by & 
charter granted to the citizens by Richard II. ; and 
they also alleged '* that since the alteration of the 
bridge, by removing several old decayed stone and 
brick arches, which formerly obstructed the passage 
by penning up the water above the bridge, boats 
could now pass without the use of the winch, which 
alone they had been accustomed to pay for, and not 
as a toll for passing under the bridge.." The barge- 
masters obtained a favourable verdict in the Court of 
Exchequer, where this cause was tried, and no toll 
has since that time been required for barges belonging 
to any place on the river, on passing this bridge. 

The extensive mansion at Caversham, which forms 
so conspicuous an object from the Bath road, was 
erected by the first Earl of Cadogan, who purchased 
the property from Lord Craven's family. The ancient 
house formerly occupied by Lord Craven stood nearer 
to the Thames than the present edifxce does. It had 
three avenues of trees in fronts the centre one of 
which was called the queen's walk, in honour of 
Anne of Denmark, consort of James L, who was 
entertained here when on her journey to Bath. And 
a second avenue was called the king's walk in memory 



280 HISTORY OF READING. 

of Charles I., who was permitted to coir.e here from 
his prison at Windsor, to visit his children who 
resided at Cavershara House, in the custody of the 
Earl of Northumberland. The mansion erecte<l by 
Lord Cadog-an was a most magnificent building, but 
was reduced by his successor, and aoain altered by 
Colonel Marsac who became the proprietor of it, and 
it is now unoccupied. Jt is an elegant structure with 
two handsome wings, situated on an eminence which 
commands a view almost unequalled in this county 
for extent and diversity. The grounds which include 
about five hundred acres, divided into lawn, park, 
and garden, were laid out under the superintendance 
of the eminent landscape gardener, Capability Brown. 
There was formerly a priory of black canons at 
Caversham, cell to Nutley Abbey in Buckinghamshire, 
famous for the story of the angel with one wing, who 
brought hither the spear that pierced our Saviour's 
side on the cross. 

HENLEY 

stands upon the Thames in the extremity of the 
county of Oxford, and is connected with Berkshire 
by a handsome stone bridge erected over the river. 
It is supposed to be the most ancient town in the 
county, and is also thought to be the Galleva Atreba- 
turn of Antoninus, an opinion chiefly founded upon 
the number of Roman coins discovered here, and 
from the military way that runs between it andSpeen. 
It possesses a very ancient and spacious church, the 
lofty tower of which was built by Cardinal VVolaey, 
and several schools and almshouses. Its market is 
one of the greatest in England for corn, and it has 
also a considerable trade to London in malt, meal, 
flour, and wood, which are sent down the river in 
barges. It is altogether a well-built town, and has 
been much improved of late years, the streets having 
been widened, paved, and lightened, and the houses 
in general modernized. It is a corporate town, 
governed by a warden, burgesses, and other officers, 
and formerly sent two members to parliament. The 
population is about 3^300. 



HISTORY OF READING. 281 

WALLINGFORD 
Is 15 miles N.W. of Reading", on the road to Oxford, 
through Pangbourne and Streatly. The former village 
is situated at a short distance from the I hames, about 
six miles from Reading", and has an easy communi- 
cation with Oxfordshire, by means of a very commo- 
dious bridge. The parish of Pangbourne extends two 
miles and a quarter in length, and two miles in 
breadth ; it is ten miles in circumference, and con- 
tains 1,663 acres. The church is dedicated to 8t. 
James, and is compass roofed, tiled, and built of 
stone and flint, the outside of which is now almost 
covered with plaister. The present steeple was erected 
at the west end of the old south aisle in 1718; it is of 
brick, and contains a ring of six bells, with a clock 
of good workmanship, the gift of Antrum Woolford 
by will, 1789. The pulpit is of curiously (!arved oak, 
of the age of Queen Elizabeth. The great and small 
tithes of Bere Court in this parish, a seat of the 
abbot and monks of Reading, was granted to them 
by charter at an early period by Robert, Bibhop of 
Salisbury; and they also received 32s. and 8d. yearly 
from the rector of Pangbourne, who was instituted 
by the bishop on the presentation of the abbot and 
convent. One mile south of Pangbourn is the small 
parish of Tidmarsh. The church is dedicated to St. 
Lawrence, and consists of a body and chancel divided 
from each other by a Gothic arch. The chancel is of 
singular construction, forming a pentagon with a 
lancet window in each of the sides, separated by 
clustered Gothic pillars with fancy capitals, surmounted 
by niches for images. The doorway of the church is a 
Saxon arch richly ornamented, over which is a 
representation of a human head. The door itself which 
is of oak has been removed, and was lately serving 
for the door of a hen house in an adjoining farm 
yard. Between Pangbourn and Streatly is Basildon 
Park, the seat of Sir Francis Sykes, bart. The 
mansion is a very elegant structure, situated in a 
park w^ell stocked with deer, and commanding some 
beautiful prospects with glimpses of the Thames 
between. The various lofty hills in the neighbourhood 



282 HISTORY OF READING. 

afford some of the most pleasant rides and walks in 
the county. 

Wallingford is a very ancient town situated on the 
Thames, the certain origin of which is obscured by 
doubt and contradition. Canibden supposes it to be 
the Gallena of Ptolemy and Antoninus and the 
capital of the Atrebatii; and derives its ]>resent name 
from Gallen(f, a little altered, and Ford. It was 
formerly surrounded by walls and possessed a castle 
of great size and magnificence, which at one time 
was considered impregnable. It was surrounded by a 
double wall and double ditch, and the citadel or keep 
stood on a high artificial hill, and had within a well 
of immense depth. Cambden, who has a hypothesis 
for every thing, and in whose days the castle was 
entire, ascribes it to the Romans. It was several times 
the place of meeting between King John and his 
discontented barons; audit was repaired and garrisoned 
by the Royalists at the commencement of the civil 
war between Charles I. and his parliament. It surren- 
dered towards the close of that contest, and was 
entirely dismantled four years afterwards, in 1653. 
The materials were all carried away, and there is now 
not a vestige of it remaining except part of a wall 
towards the river side. The town had formerly no less 
than fourteen churches, besides a collegiate chapel in 
its castle, but it now contains only three, St. Mary's, 
St Leonard's, and St. Peter's. The latter two were 
reduced to ruins during the giege of the town in 1646. 
St. Leonard's was re-openened for divine service in 
the year 1704; but St. Petei's was not re-built till 
about the middle of the eighteenth century, and then 
chiefly through the exertions of Sir William Black- 
stone, who erected the spire, which is of a very 
singular form, a-t his own expence. Besides the three 
churches, the town contains meeting houses for 
Quakers, Methodists, and Baptists ; a free school, a 
handsome market house and town hall, and six alms- 
houses for as many poor women, who are allowed 
three shillings and two pence per week. It suffered 
severely by a plague in the reign of Edward III., 
which swept away many of the inhabitants; audits 



HISTORY OF READING. 283 

decay was still more accelerated afterwards by the 
road to Gloucester being turned away from the town, 
and by the subsequent erection of the bridges at 
Abingdon and Dorchester, by which a great portion of 
its trade was removed to those places and their 
vicinity. Wallingford was a borough in the reign of 
Edward the Confessor, and sent two members to 
parliament from the twenty-third year of Edward T. 
till the second- of William IV., when it was deprived 
of the povrer of electing more than one member by a 
clause in schedule B. of the memorable Reform Bill. 
To the zealous exertion of one of its former repre- 
rentatives already mentioned. Sir W. Blackstone, it 
owes much of its returning prosperity ; particularly 
in the formation of two turnpike roads, one opening 
a communication between Reading and Oxford ; and 
the other leading to Wantage, through the vale of 
White Horse, vvhich have contributed greatly towards 
the restoration of the business of the town, and its 
consequent improvement. The inhabitants, exceeding 
in number two thousand, are principally employed in 
agriculture and malt making. This trade is in a very 
flourishing state from the convenience possessed by 
those concerned in it of sending their commodities to 
London by water. The demand is said to amount to 
upwards of 150,000 bushels annually. The town was 
incorporated by James I., and is governed by a mayor, 
and five aldermen (who are justices of the peace 
within the borough), a town clerk, and other inferior 
officers, chosen out of the burgesses, who are eighteen 
in number. The old bridge over the Thames was of 
very great antiquity. It was a substantial stone 
structure above three hundred yards long, with 
nineteen arches and four drawbridges. The time of 
its erection is not known, but it was evidently one of 
the oldest structures of the kind on the river. The 
pointed sterlings on the upper side were so well 
constructed that they were able to resist during many 
centuries the violence of the most impetuous floods ; 
but the bridge generally was found to be so much 
injured from the great flood of the year 1809 that it 
was taken down, and the present handsome modern 
ridge erecte d in its place. 



284 HISTORY OF READING. 

About two miles south from Wallinj^ford is Cholsey 
Farm, which was formerly reputed to be the lar<>:e6t 
and mooi compact in England, the rent amounting to 
^1000. annually. The Great Barn pr Manor Barn in 
which the Abbot of Reading, to whom the manor 
belonged, deposited his tithet;, is yet standing, though 
erected prior to the dissolution. Mr. Man very 
reasonably rejects Coates's idea of carrying the date 
of its erection so far back as the year 1101, or that it 
ever belonged to the ancient abbey of Cholsey. This 
barn corresponding to the farm is the largest in 
England; it measures 303 feet in length and 54 in 
breadth. The roof is supported on each side by 
seventeen pillars, each of which is four yards in 
circumference; they rise in the centre of the barn to 
the height of hfty-one feet, but near the walls their 
greatest altitude does not exceed eight. 

NEWBURY 
Is 17 miles W. of Reading, the road to it passing 
the manor of Southcote in the parish of St. Mary's 
on the left, and continuing through the villages of 
Theele, Woolhampton, and Thatcham. The manor of 
Southcote was possessed at a very remote period by 
the family of Belet, from whom it passed to the 
Windsors, and ultimately became the property of the 
Blagravee, who have held it during nearly two cen- 
turies and a half. The manor house is a large brick 
edifice of an antique form, placed on an elevated 
situation and moated round. It is supposed to have 
been built when it came into the possession of the 
Blagrave family with part of the materials from the 
dissolved abbey. The hall was formerly lighted by a 
lantern top, which was removed many years ago, 
owing to its dilapidated state. There is only one tower 
remaining out of the four which originally added to 
the ornament and strength of the building, the lower 
part of which is converted into a dairy; the room 
over which appears to have been used for defence, as 
there are loop-holes in it for musquetry, and from its 
proximity to the drawbridge it is supposed to have 
been a watch station. There is a tradition that the 
house was once occupied by the children of Charles!. 



HISTORY OP READING. 285 

who are said to have had the small pox while residincf 
in it ; but there is no proof of such havini^ been the 
case. 

The villasfe of Theele is a tithinof within the parish 
of Eni(lefield, and is about four miles from Readino-. 
The approach to it is through a beautiful woodland 
country highly cultivated, and enlivened by occasional 
views of the Kennet, which olicles through some 
beautiful meadows on the south. Englefield is the site 
of a battle fought between the Danes and Saxons in 
811. The parish church has nothinof remarkable in 
its style, but it contains some ancient and curious 
monuments; among which are two in low pointed 
arches, within tlie thickness of the wall, of a knight 
and a lady : the former bears all the insignia of a 
Templar, and the fioure of the latter is carved out of 
a piece of solid oak. There is also one to the memory 
of the iMarquis of Winchester, who so nobly defended 
Basing House for Charles I., with an inscription by 
Dryden. Englefield House is situated on the declivity 
of a verdant hill, at the foot of which is a beautiful 
serpentine sheet of water, on which are several 
woody islands, stocked with abundance of wUd 
fowl. The rectory of Tiiehurst, a parish adjoining 
Englefield, and including within its circuit the village 
of Theale, is said to be the largest in Berkshire. A 
new church has been lately built in this parish by the 
widow of the Rev. Dr. Shepherd, who also very munifi- 
cently endowed it. It is on the florid Gothic style, of 
exquisite proportion, and forms altogether a very 
jpleasing object. 

The road on to Woolhampton lies through a superb 
country, bounded on one side by a chain of hills, and 
generally ornamented by every variety of wood, and 
interspersed with elegant seats, villasres, and cultivated 
grounds. Woolhampton is a small village, celebrated 
for its peat pits. Thatcliam was formerly a market 
town, but is now nothing more than a respectable 
village. The parish is still more extensive than the 
rectory of Tiiehurst. It includes some part of the 
suburbs of Newbury, and contains, according to 
Rocque't) survey, 11,491 acres. In the days of its 



286 HISTORY OF REAt)ING* 

prosperity the market was held every Sunday, on the 
spot where the remains of the cross now stand, and 
with Thatchara itself was the property of the aobo^ 
and monks of Reading*. On the dissolution of the 
abbey the market either ceased altogether, or wa.s 
transferred to Newbury. The church is a large and 
ancient structure of unwrouoht stone, and contains 
several monuments of a very remote period. 

Newhury is a epacious market and borough town, 
situated on the Kennet, which runs through the centre 
of it. It was formerly celebrated for its woollen 
manufactures, but these having almost entirely 
disappeared, it is more noted now for its excellent 
corn market, and is besides a place of extensive 
general trade, owing to the facility of communication 
it possesses with London and Bristol, by means of the 
different navigable canals, which have been completed 
within the last thirty years. The streets are arranged 
nearly in the shape of the letter Y. the angles 
branching off from the market place, and the foot of 
the letter being formed by the village of Speenham- 
land, which may be considered part of its suburbs. 
The church is a plain stone building, and contains 
among other monuments that of John Winchcomb, 
alias Swalewood (better known as Jack of NewburyJ 
and his wife. ** He kept," says Fuller, " 100 looms in 
his house, each of them managed by a man and a 
boy. In the expedition to Flodden Field against 
James, king of Scotland, he marched with one hun- 
dred of his own men well mounted, to show that the 
painful m peace could be valiant mirar. He feasted King 
Henry VIII. and his first queen, Catharine, at his own 
house, yet extant at Newbury, the church of which he 
built from the pulpit to the tower inclusively. He 
died about 1520." The town possesses a large number 
OS alms-houses, and several charity schools, a commo- 
dious town hall, and various meeting houses. It is 
not known by whom it was first incorporated, but 
Queen Elizabeth granted it a charter in 1596, and it 
is governed by a mayor, high steward, recorder, six 
aldermen, and twenty-four capital burgesses. The 
borough is very ancient, and was a place ^of great 



HISTORY OF READING, 287 

consequence at the period when the Norman survey 
was taken. The town is thoua^ht to have taken its 
name from its supposed origin out of the ruins of 
Speen, the Roman Spince. It became remarkable 
durino" the civil wars fortwo battles fought here between 
the parliamentary army and that of the royalists, 
comanded by Charles I. in person. The market day is 
on Thursday, and it has also five annual fairs. The 
population amounts to about 5000. In the vicinity of 
Newbury are Donnington House (once the residence 
of a son of Geoffrey Chancer, and at a later period a 
garrison for Charles I,), and Straw House, which 
foruied the head-quarters of that unhappy king at the 
time of the last battle of Newbury, and where a hole 
in the wainscot of one of the rooms is shown as 
having been made by a bullet fire4 at the monaich, 
and which very narrowly missed its object. These 
places hovvever are situated at too great a distance 
from Reading to be included under the head of 
Environs, and consequently prevent us from going 
into a more detailed account of them. 



CHARITABLE DONATIONS. 

, 1445. 
The first charitable institution on record in Reading 
was the foundation of the free school in the above 
-year by John Thorne, the twenty-eighth abbot A 
detailed account of this charitable institution will be 
found under the head " Free School.'^ 
\477. 
John a Leche, otherwise called, from the post he 
held in the abbey, John of the Larder, left by will 
tenements, lands, and all debts owing to him, for the 
purpose of building eight alms-houses, vested in the 
corporation. 

1554. 
Sir Thomas White endowed the free school with two 
exhibitions to the college of St. Jwlin's in Oxford, and 
bequeathed the annual sum of ^104. to be given in 
rotation to one of twenty-four cities or towns named 
in his will, for the purpose of being lent to four poor 
young men of such cities (for the space of ten years) 



288 nisTORY OF reading. 

who are freemen of the same, and carrying on the 
trade of clothiers. Reading being one of the twenty- 
fonr to whom the advantages of the above bequest 
are extended, received the first payment in 1759, and 
continued to receive in its turn the like sum of ^104. 
every twenty-four years, till the fourth payment 
became due in 1651, and which was not discharged 
till three years after, owino- to the civil war of that 
century, and only then obtained in consequence of 
the frequent applications made to the trustees by the 
corporation The ninth payment should have been in 
1795, it did not however take place till 1798, but 
the tenth was regularly furnished in 1822, and the 
next payment will become due in 1846. 
1576. 

Mr. Robert Boyer, tanner, of Reading gave all his 
lands, tenements, and hereditaments, in the parish of 
Burghfield in trust for the use of the poor. V^ested 
in the corporation. 

1602. 

Mr. Augustine Knapp, of Rotherfield Peppard, 
Oxon bequeathed the sum of twenty pounds to buy a 
stock for the employment of the poor for ever in 
work. He also gave twenty shillings yearly to be 
bestowed on the clothing of poor, lame, blind, or 
infirm parishioners of St. Giles's. Trustees : the cor- 
poration, and the churchwardens of St. Giles's. 
1605. 

William Palmer, of Southstoke, Oxon, gave an 
annual rent of forty shillings to the use of the poor. 
Vested in the corporation. 

Mr. John Noyse of Shinfield in this county be- 
queathed in the same year a rent charge of twenty 
shillings a year, but it is not known for what purpose. 
Vested in the corporation. 

1606. 

Mr. Thomas Lydall gave by will to the church 
wardens of St. Lawrence's parish ten shillings 
annually towards repairing the church seats and bells ; 
and the further annual sum of ten shillings to the 
preacher at the above church. For the payment of 
these legacies the testator vested in the corporation 



HISTORY OF READING. 289 

some tenements lield by liim in Friar-street, and 
directed ihe surplus of the profits to be bestowed 
upon the relief of such poor people and fatherless 
children as from time to time shall be relieved and 
kept in the hospital, afterwards converted into the 
Town Bridewell. 

Mr. 1 homasDeane, clothier, of Reading*, sfave a rent 
chari^e of three pounds on an estate, now the property 
of Lord Braybrooke, at Ruscombe, Berks, to be 
bestowed on the poor of Readina^, in bread, for ever. 
That iij to say, upon St. Thomas's day, twenty dozen ; 
on Good Friday, twenty dozen ; and upon Ascension 
eve, twenty dozen. Vested in the churchwardens of 
St. Giles. 

1608. 

Mr. John Ball, of Shinfield, Berks, left in tiust to 
the corporation, the sum of twenty pounds, to 
purchase stock for the employment of the poor. 
1609. 

Mr. Joseph Carter, of Readirc^, ^ave twenty 
shillings a year, for the use of the poor and orphans in 
the hospital ; payable out of two tenements over 
a^^ainst St. Edmund Chapel in Reading. V'ested in the 
corporation. 

Mr. Edward Kemys, of London, left fifty pounds 
for the purpose of purchasing- an annuity, to be 
distributed amonof twenty-four poor people, at three 
shillino's and fourpence each, per annum. The above 
sum was laid out in the purchase of land, which 
produces four pounds per annum. Vested in the 
corporation. 

1610 

Mr. Thomas Deane by indenture gave ^160. to be 
laid out in the purchase of land, for the support of 
two poor men not less than 55 years of age ; and of 
three fatherless children, under the age of ten, who 
were to remain in the hospital (now the town Bride- 
well) till they were sixteen. The men to have 52s. 
each annually, and the rest to be applied to the 
maintenance of the children. Vested in the corpora- 
tion, who were authorized to fill up the vacancies 
within the space of ten days. The lands purchased 
produce the annual sum often pounds, eight shillings, 

u 



29^ »2ST01?Y OF RBADmOi 

Mr. James Pocock g-ave ^25. for the pnrcliase of 
land, the profits arising- from which he directed should 
he spent in buying eight shirts and eight shifts, of 
two shillings value each; of which five shirts and as 
many shifts were to be distributed yearly to ten poor 
people of Reading, and the remainder to be given 
to the poor of Frilsham and those of Yattenden 
every alternate year. The mayor or his assignees 
to have sixpence, and the churchwardens of the 
latter two places fourpence each to see the same 
properly executed. With this sum of £25. and a part 
of Mr. beane's money, some houses were purchased 
jnSievier's-street ; but these being soon after burnt at 
the siege of Reading the number of shirts and shifts 
was reduced to six.* Vested in the corporation. 

Mr. Richa^rd Turner of Reading gave ^15. and a 
tenement in the Old-ward, to furnish the hospital 
for the benefit of the poor. 

16H. 

Mr. Nicholas Russell of Shinfield bequeathed an 
annuity of 13s. 4d. to be bestowed every !St. Thomas's 
day on the poor of the parish of St. Mary. Vested in 
the churchwardens of that parish. 

John Blagravegave annually Is. each to twenty poor 
people of St. Mary's parish, twenty of St. Lawrence's, 
and six of St. Gales'. Vested in the corporation. He also 
gave fifty shillings yearly, to be divided among twenty 
poor housekeepers ; and forty shillings yearly among 
twenty poor widows of the parish of St. Mary. 

* That the siege of Reading should have caused a reduction 
in the number of shifts and shirts belonging to this charity was 
contrary to the truth of the usually received apophthegm, a 
small effect produced by a great cause. It may perhaps recall 
to the memories of some of our readers another close connec- 
tion between the sublime and ridiculous, to be found in Gibbon, 
who notices the extreme cheapness of herrings in England, 
A.D. 1238, owing to the market being glutted, from the 
northern nations not sending over their ships to purchase that 
article, as they had been accustomed to do, through their fear 
of the, Tartars, who were about invading Europe. "It is 
whimsical enough," says the historian of the Decline and Fall, 
*' that the orders of a Mogul Khan who reigned on the borders 
of China, should have lowered the price of herrings in the 
English market." 



HISTORY OF READING. 21^1 

Vested in the cliurchwardeiis. He bequcatlied also ia 
trust to tlie corporation ten pounds to be distributed 
on Good Friday : viz. ten shillino^s to the vicar of St. 
Lawrence's for a sermon on that day; six pounds, 
thirteen shillino-s, and fourpence, to one maid servant 
who has lived five years in the same place ; twenty 
shillings to be distributed after the sermon among' 
sixty poor householders of St Mary's, who are td 
accompany the maid home; three shillings and four 
pence to the ringers^* and the same sum each to the 
youngest churchwarden and the clerk of the parish. 
1613. 

Mr. Edward Hamblin of Tilehurst gave a rent 
charge of four pounds per annum for the relief of 
poor men, two or three of whom at least to be 
butchers. Vested in the corporation. 
1614. 

Mr. John Johnson of Reading bequeathed the 
following sums : for the repair of the church and 
bells of St. Lawrence, annually, ten shillings; to the 
vicar for a sermon on St. John's day, annually, ten 
shillings; for bread to be distributed among the poor 
on the same day, annually, twenty-two shillings; to tha 
clerk and sexton for distributing the same, two 
shillings. 

The above sums were to be paid out of a legacy of 
thirty-five pounds, left in trust to the corporation, 
wlio invested it in property which produces three 
pounds, eleven shillings, and fourpence, per annum. 
Another legacy which this testator left to the poor of 
St. Lawrence was lost in 1657, through the insolvency 
of the senior churchwarden, to whose management it 
had been intrusted. He also left twenty pounds, to be 
lent for the apprenticing poor children, natives of 
the town. 

1617. 

Mr. Bernard Harrison left funds for the alms- 
houses now situated in Southampton-street ; to which 
charity IMrs. Wimbledon left three pounds per annum, 
and Mr Shirley two pounds per annum. 
1619. 

Mr. Anthony Thorne (alias Legg) left ^50 for the 
relief of eight poor people ; and ftlrs. Mary Worsely 



292 HISTORY OF READING. 

^40 for the benefit of sixty poor widows of tliis 
town. These sums, vested in the corporation, produce 
^10 per annum. 

1620. 

Mr. Robert Reeves, twelve penny loaves, to be 
distributed weekly; Mr. John Mills, £6 per annum 
to six householders of St. Mary's who do not receive 
parish relief. 

1621. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Elwes, the produce of ^100 for the 
annual relief of the poor of St. Lawrence. Vested iu 
the churchwardens. 

1624. 

Mr John Kendrick gave by will ^7,500 for the 
benefit of the clothing manufactories of the town. 
^100 to be bestowed on poor maids on the day of 
their marriage, at the rate of 40s. each ; but none 
were eligible who had not served at least seven years 
in the same situation. ^£50 to the churchwardens of 
St. Mary's towards finishing the pinnacles on the 
tower of the church. ^500 to be lent from three 
years to three years for ever to ten poor clothiers of 
the town, at the rate of £50 each. ^250 to purchase 
lands and hereditaments to the annual value of ^10 
to maintain daily divine service in St. Mary's church 
at six in the morning. Vested chiefly in the corpo- 
ration. 

Mr. GrifKn Jenkins left funds for the alms-houses 
already mentioned in our general view of the town. 
1630. 

Mr. Richard Johnson left ^100 and several freehold 
tenements, in trust to the corporation, for the purpose 
of paying to the vicar of St. Lawrence's ten shillings 
annually for a sermon ; to give to the poor twenty 
dozen of bread and twenty shillings in money ; one 
shilling each to the clerk and sexton ; and the residue 
to go to the repairs of the church. He also left ^100 
to be lent to four tradesmen for ten years; ^20 to 
apprentice four orphans ; a rent charge of £4 to the 
parish of St. Lawrence; 10/. towards building a 
conduit in the market place ; and 6/. to buy a silver 
bowl, the property of the mayor for the time being. 
Vested in the corporation. 



HISTORY OF READING. 293 

Mr. William Brackstone bequeatlied a rent charge 
of £4. a year, to be distributed on Good Friday, 
annually, among* ISO poor women and twenty poor 
men, under certain conditions. 
1634. 

Mr. William Kendrick ^ave funds for the support 
of the alms-houses alreads described. 
1635. 

Sir Thomas Vatcbell knt. gave by indenture the 
almshouses in Castle-street forthereceptionof six men, 
as already stated. 

Mr. Ron^er Knight bequeathed a rent charsce of 3/. 
per annum to pay 24s. to forty-eij^ht poor parish- 
ioners of St. Lawrence's; 24s. towards the repairs of 
the church and bells ; 10s. to the preacher; and 2$. 
to the clerk and sexton. 

1636. 

Mr. John Ayre (or Ayres) bequeathed a rent charge 
of 51. per annum, 4/. of which were to be lent to two 
youno" men of the parish of St. Lawrence, who had 
served their apprenticeships, and one shilling- each to 
twenty poor men, to be chosen by the corporation. 
1637. 

Mr. William Ironmongerleft2/. per annum towards 
providing ten waistcoats, to be distributed annually 
among the poor. 

1638. 

Mr. William Elkins gave 1/. per annum, to be 
distributed among equal numbers of poor men and 
widows of the parish of St. Mary. 

Mr. Reginald Butler bequeathed a rent charge of 
1/. per annum, and Mr. John Bagley another of 10s. 
per annum, to be divided among the poor of the 
parishes of St. Mary and St Lawrence. 
1640. 

Archbishop Laud left in trust to the corporation the 
following legacies, subject to certain restrictions : — 
For apprenticing ten poor boys of the town, &c. an 
annual rent charge of 200/. To be divided every 
third year among live servant maids who had served 
three years in one place, and one from Wokingham, 
120/. For apprenticing boys, setting up young begin- 
ners, increasing the stipenda of the vicar of St. 



294 HISTORY OF READIN"G. 

Lawrence and of the master of the free school, and 
for the entertainment of the visitors from St. John's 
College, &c. the annual sum of 200/. The latter sum 
was a rentcharo^e on a farm which is now let for 600/. 
and the charities are increased in proportion. 
164G. 

Mr. Richard Aldworth gave 4000/. to purchase a 
convenient spot for a school in which tweuty boys of 
the town were to be educated, and two apprenticed 
annually, with some small oifts to the poor. 
1647. 

Mr. Richard Jayes, alms-houses and funds for their 
support in Hosier's-lane. 

1653. 

Mr. John Webb, an annual rent charge of 4/. for 
the perpetual maintenance of a weekly lecture at St. 
Lawrence's, 10/. towards purchasing* a dwelling liouse 
for the master of the free school, and Is. per week to 
each of the four widows in the alms-houses near 
St. Mary's. 

1661. 

Mr. Thomas Ward bequeathed a rent charge uf 
10s. per annum, to be distributed among four persons 
of the parish of St. Giles. 

1666, 

Sir Thomas Rich bequeathed 54/. per annum for 
the maintenance of six boys of the town, and three of 
the village of Sonning, in the blue coat school founded 
by Mr. Aldworth. 

Mr. I. Chamberla^me gave a rent charge of 1/. per 
annum, to be given to the poor of St. Mary's parish 
every Ash Wednesday. 

1673. 

Mr. Stephen Atwater left 1/. per annum, to be 
distributed every St. Stephen's day among four poor 
men of St. Giles's parish, employed in the clothing 
trade. 

The same sum was bequeathed by Mr. Samuel 
Jenimett to be divided annually on the 1st of February 
among four poor housekeepers of the above parish. 
1696. 

Mr. John Hall, funds for a school and an alms- 
bouse, both already described. 



HISTORY OF READING, 20S 

Mr. Thomas Harrison, 1/. per annum, to be divided 
among eight poor women in Mr. Harrison's alms- 
Louses. 

1/00. 

Mr. William IMalthus, 91/. per annum for the 
purpose of maintaining eleven boys of this town in 
the blue coat school. 

Mr. John Pottinger, a rent charge of 15/. per 
annum, for the maintenance of two boys in the same 
achool. 

1712. 

Mrs. Mary Kenrick^ 8/. per annum to the poor of 
the three parishes. 

1717. 

Mr. and Mrs. West, 5/. annually to each of 
three inhabitants of St. Mary's parish, who must be 
elected by the vestry. 

1720. 

The same parties gave houses and lands to the 
governors of Christ's Hospital which then let for 
241/. 8s. for the educating and apprenticing as many 
poor boys and girls as the sum would admit of, two 
fifths of such children always to be elected and 
presented by the three parishes of Reading alter- 
nately. Mr. West also gave 1200/. in trust to the 
cloth workers' company, to purchase lands for the main- 
tenance of six boys in the blue coat school at 
Reading, and a further donation for providing the 
same with apparel. 

1723. 

Mrs. Frances W^est conveyed by indenture to the 
president and fellows of Sion College houses and 
grounds which then let for 240/. per annum, in trust, 
to pay twenty persons therein mentioned 10/. 
per annum each for life ,- and 20/. annually for placing 
out two orphans, sons of clergymen; and 2/. 10s. per 
annum to the accountant ; and afterwards to divide 
the rents and profits into three parts, and to pay one 
of the three parts to poor men and women, not less 
than 50 years of age, at the rate of 5/. per annum for 
life; three fourths of these poor people to be natives 
of Reading. 






296 HISTORY OP READING. 



1726. 

Mr. Edward Hunofcrford left the interest of 200A 
to the vicar of St. Lawrence's parish, on condition 
that the Common Prayer be read in his church every 
afternoon. 

1731. 

Mr. John Allen, the rents of lands purchased at 
1000/. for apprenticing poor boys. 
1755. 

The Rev. William Boudry and John Richards, esq. 
lands, &c. the produce of which is cast for by lot 
annually, by three poor maids who have lived five 
years in the same service. The successful candidate 
receiyes 28/. and the thrower of the next highest 
number receives 4/. and the other 3/ the gift of 
Mr. Annesley. 

1765. 

Mr. Joseph Neale left a sum of money with which 
was purchased 314/. 5s. 1 Id. South Sea S^ock, for the 
support of a charity school. Vested in the three vicars. 
1772. 

Mrs. Mary Love, the interest of 300/. to be distri- 
buted annually in bread. 

Mr. J. Richards, 500/. for the benefit of the girls' 
charity school, of which he was the principal 
promoter. 

The Rev. T. Spicer gave to the same charity a 
leasehold estate amounting to 8/. 6s. per annum, and 
the reversion of 200/. after the death of his wife. 
1786. 

Mr. John Leggatt gave in trust to the corporation 
210/. with the interest thereof, to apprentice one poor 
boy out of the three parishes alternately, and 50/. 
towards the support of the boys in the blue coat 
school. 

Mrs. Clementine Fragnall gave by will 100/. stock, 
for the benefit of the girls' charity school. 
1789. 

Aubry Flory, esq. gave 300/. to the same charity. 
1811. 

Mr. Thomas Cooke bequeathed the following suiHi 
for the increase of the weekly pay of all the poor in 
the various alms-houses ; 




HISTORY OF READING. 297 

£ 

To John a Larder's 1400 3 per cent to 8 men and women. 

To William Kendrick's 875 ditto to 5 ditto. 

ToSirT. Vatchell's 1050 ditto to 6 men. 

To John Hall's - 875 ditto to 5 men. 

To Bernard Harrison's 1400 ditto to 8 women. 

To John Webb's 700 ditto to 4 women. 

£6300 ; interest, £l89, or £5 5s. each, 
annually. 

1813. 

Edward Simeon, esq, bequeathed tlie following 
sums iu trust to the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, 
to be thus disposed of: 

£ 
For bread tickets annually to the poor, the interest of 1000 
To the blue coat school ...... 100 

To clothing the Sunday school children, every alter- 
nate year, the interest of 2500 

To the girls' charity school ..... 200 

To the Infants' Friends' Society 105 

*To the Reading Dispensary 210 

To the Widows' Society ' 600 

Martin Annesley, esq placed 500/. iu the hands of 
the corporation, that with the interest or produce 
thereof the unsuccessful maid servants in casting the 
dice may receive, the second highest thrower 41. and 
the thrower of the lowest number 31. each, on Good 
Friday, and the first Monday after Bartholomew's 
day, every year. 

1826. 

The Rev. T. H. Woodroffe bequeathed to the 
Reading Dispensary the sum of 1350/. in the 3 per 
cents, in aid of that institution ; the smaller donations 
will be found in our account of that establishment. 
1833. 

Mrs. Stephens presented to the committee of the 
Infants' School the sum of 100/. which has been 
appropriated to the purchase of a piece of ground for 
erecting on it a new school room. 

In addition to the above charitable donations, from 
which the poor of the town derive much benefit, there 
is a fuDd for the purchase of coals, which are distrib- 

* The Board at the Dispensary says £189, perhaps some 
legacy and other duties are deducted. 



298 HISTORY OF READING4 

luted to tlie poor of the three parishes indiscrimi- 
iiately. Also Dorcas societies which supply the 
laboring poor with clothino- and other necessaries, 
and to the funds of whioh the objects of the charity 
of the societies themselves contribute small weekly 
payments, which are returned at the end of the year 
in various articles made up or furnished for their use, 
and according to the amount of their contributions. 
There are some other charitable donations noticed by 
BJr. Mann, but as they are not included in the return 
made to parliament, and have either expired or been 
applied to purposes we have elsewhere noticed, we 
have not inserted them in the above list. 



FINIS. 



Meuikr, Printer^ 7, High-stntt, Heading. 



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